Connecting to the love and generosity that flows to us from the Mystery.
Opening ourselves to the Source
so our actions are filled with kindness and grace.
— Rabbi Yael Levy, Journey Through the Wilderness
Tonight we mark the 36th day of the Omer, aligned in the mystical tradition with Chesed sheb’Yesod—Lovingkindness within Foundation.
Chesed is expansive, overflowing love: generosity of spirit, compassion, openness of heart. Yesod is foundation—the grounding energy that connects, sustains, and channels what is deepest within us into the world around us. Chesed held within Yesod asks us: How do we make lovingkindness foundational? How do we root ourselves so deeply in compassion that it becomes the way we move through the world?
In a time when the world can often feel fragile or unsafe, this teaching feels especially urgent. How do we strengthen our foundations through loving engagement with family, friends, community, and even strangers? How do we respond with curiosity and care instead of fear and disconnection?
Jewish tradition teaches that we are partners in Tikkun Olam—repairing the world. Every act of compassion, every moment of generosity, every choice to see the humanity in another person helps reinforce the spiritual foundations upon which our communities stand.
Take a moment to listen to the beautiful song Olam Chesed Yibaneh, performed by Menachem Creditor and Neshama Carlebach:
“I will build this world from love.
And you must build this world from love.
And if we build this world from love,
then God will build this world from love.”
This is Chesed within Yesod: lovingkindness becoming the very structure that holds us.
There is also a beautiful connection to the number thirty-six itself. Jewish tradition teaches that the world continues to exist because of the presence of thirty-six hidden righteous people, known as the Lamed-Vavniks. The Hebrew letters Lamed (30) and Vav (6) together equal thirty-six.
Rabbi Min Kantrowitz writes:
“On this thirty-sixth day of the Omer, consider that one of these righteous people might be someone you encounter today.”
Perhaps the righteous person is your closest friend. Perhaps it is the person bagging groceries at the market. Perhaps it is someone carrying unseen burdens with quiet grace. Perhaps, at times, it is even you.
What changes when we encounter each person with lovingkindness, compassion, and genuine curiosity? What foundations become possible when love is not merely a feeling, but a daily practice?
