Dancing the Omer: Seven Weeks with Rebbe Nachman’s Seven Beggars
With Rabbi Dorothy Richman
Tuesdays, April 15, 22, 29 & May 6, 13, 20, 27
At 9:30am PST / 12:30pm EST / 5:30pm UK / 7:30pm Israel
75 minute live sessions on Zoom
*Sessions will be recorded for those who cannot make the live sessions
The Omer period connects the liberation of Passover with the revelation of Shavuot. The seven weeks of the Omer offer us a time for spiritual practice: both for reflection and for creativity. According to Jewish mystical traditions, the seven weeks correlate to seven specific qualities (sefirot) of the spiritual structure of the world. Each week of the Omer is an invitation to explore and embody its particular quality/sefirah.
In our time together Dancing the Omer, we will combine study of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s seminal Hasidic story, The Seven Beggars, in conversation with the seven specific qualities (sefirot) of the Omer period.
R. Nachman’s enigmatic story is a classic of Jewish literature. Celebrated as a spiritual masterwork, it combines elements of folk-tales with Jewish mysticism. We will engage the many levels of meaning in the story and ask what its images and characters can offer us today in our own transformations as we move in the Jewish spiritual calendar from liberation (Passover) to revelation (Shavuot).
Each week will include:
Chant/song for that week’s quality/sefirah
Introduction and discussion of that week’s quality/sefirah
Close-reading and discussion of a section of Rebbe Nachman’s Seven Beggars
Guided meditation (including a period of silence) and journaling/drawing
Suggested practices for the week
Sessions will be 75 minutes each. Recordings will also be sent out weekly to allow for self-paced learning and participation. In addition to the weekly sessions, participants will also have the option to join a WhatsApp group to receive ongoing support in our practice together in between sessions.
Session 1 / April 15- Hesed/Lovingkindness and Introduction to the Seven Beggars and the Beggar Who is Blind
In our opening session, we will introduce the Omer and its connection to the Jewish mystical Etz haHayyim/Tree of Life. We will discuss Hesed/Lovingkindness and explore practices to help us embody and explore the quality throughout the week. We will introduce Rebbe Nachman and his story, The Seven Beggars, and discuss its literary structure and symbolism. We will explore the Beggar Who is Blind and the power of in/sight and memory. We will engage in a guided meditation and have time to draw/write in response to the imagery introduced during the session. We will meet one another and begin to form a community of spiritual learning and practice. We will sing together.
Session 2 / April 22 - Gevurah/Discipline and the Beggar Who is Deaf
In our second session, we will discuss Gevurah/Discipline and explore practices to help us embody and explore the quality throughout the week. We will continue our study of The Seven Beggars, focusing on the Beggar Who is Deaf and the experiences of hearing/listening and the good life.
Session 3 / April 29 - Tiferet/Harmony and the Beggar Who Stutters
In our third session, we will discuss Tiferet/Harmony and explore practices to help us embody and explore the quality throughout the week. We will continue our study of The Seven Beggars, focusing on the Beggar Who Stutters and the nature of wisdom. We will engage in a guided meditation and have time to draw/write in response to the imagery introduced during the session. We’ll sing together, celebrating Rosh Hodesh Iyar.
Session 4 / May 6 - Netzah/Endurance and the Beggar with a Crooked Neck
In our fourth session, we will discuss Netzah/Endurance and explore practices to help us embody and explore the quality throughout the week. We will continue our study of The Seven Beggars, focusing on the Beggar with a Crooked Neck and the power of voice.
Session 5 / May 13 - Hod/Humility and the Beggar with a Hunchback
In our fifth session, we will discuss Hod/Humility and explore practices to help us embody and explore the quality throughout the week. We will continue our study of The Seven Beggars, focusing on the Beggar with a Hunchback and the power to bear experience and knowledge.
Session 6 / May 20 - Yesod/Foundation and the Beggar with No Hands
In our penultimate session, we will discuss Yesod/Foundation and explore practices to help us embody and explore the quality throughout the week. We will continue our study of The Seven Beggars, focusing on the Beggar with No Hands and the power of strength.
Session 7 / May 27 - Malchut/Majesty and the Beggar with No Legs
Our final class will allow us to review and reflect on the experience of the seven weeks of the Omer and the Seven Beggars. We will discuss why Rebbe Nachman chose not to finish his story and how that choice affects us as readers literally and spiritually. We will look at sources and practices that explore Malchut/Majesty and we will learn texts about the redemptive power of dance as we prepare for the holiday of Shavuot.
Meet Your Teacher
Rabba Dorothy Richman
Dorothy serves as Rabbi of Makor Or: Jewish Meditation and Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Beth Sholom in San Francisco. In addition to her work with Or haLev, Dorothy teaches on the faculty of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality’s Clergy Leadership Program. She is a soulful leader of traditional and creative ritual, and released an album of original music called Something of Mine, available on Bandcamp.
Choose your rate
At Or HaLev, we believe in the spirit of generosity as an essential part of practice. We also acknowledge that financial abilities differ for everyone and we strive to make this class accessible to those who wish to participate, regardless of ability to pay.
Please consider paying at the highest rate that you are able to. Your generosity will help in supporting Or HaLev's activities and in growing our community.
Supporter
Enables a scholarship for those who cannot afford the course.
Standard
Covers the actual cost
of the course.
Scholarship
A subsidized rate
of the course.
We want to make this series accessible to anyone who wishes to join it. If the scholarship rate is financially unfeasible for you, please write to naomi@orhalev.org, with a brief explanation of why you’d like to join us and your financial needs, and we will do our best to make the series accessible to you.
We Are Here
Any questions? Please email Or HaLev English Language Coordinator, Naomi Shifrin, at naomi@orhalev.org
