Midot Hayom: Day 15: Chesed in Tiferet

“You have laid Your hand upon me.” When Adam sinned, the Holy One, Blessed be He, removed one of His hands. We derive that Adam and the Temple were created with both of God’s hands. From what verse do we know that Adam was created with both of God’s hands? It says, “Your hands made me and prepared me.” (Psalms 119:73) From what verse do we know that the Beit Hamikdash was created with both of God’s hands? It says, “The shrine of God, Your hands have founded.” (Exodus 15:17) (Avot of Rabbi Nathan 1:8)

God created the world with a balance between the Upper and Lower worlds. The same Life Force that God used to bring the Beit Hamikdash into existence was used to give existence to Adam. We are not striving to create heaven on earth and avoid the earth. We do not attempt to escape this world but to strike a balance that connects heaven and earth; the Upper and Lower worlds.

When we recite a blessing we are connecting the Upper and Lower worlds. We celebrate the Chesed – Life Force – that is expressed in the fruit we are about to eat. We do not draw the world in black and white, but color. We do not say that we must only speak the truth even when our “honesty” will damage someone. We focus on maintaining the balance of the Spiritual and Physical worlds. Our words, especially words of rebuke, should always be productive, presented in a manner that they can be heard and accepted.

We should use this day of the Omer to focus on using all of our spiritual activities; blessings, prayers, study and Mitzvot, to enhance our physical lives and maintain a healthy balance between the two worlds.