Distinguishing the Holy

Counting the Omer, Yom HaShoah, Journaling for the week of Gevurah

Parashat Shemini | Leviticus 9:1–11:47
Illustration: Leviticus 10:10

“distinguish between the holy and the profane”

This week’s parasha, Shemini, invites us into the sacred act of discernment—to differentiate between the holy and the profane. I chose to illustrate Leviticus 10:10 because it encapsulates something I return to again and again in my spiritual practice: the challenge and the privilege of recognizing the Divine in everyday moments.

A Prayer for Parashat Shemini

Source of Oneness
(Prayer for Parasha 26)

As I strive to distinguish
the holy from the profane,
grant me the clarity
to see the sparks of light
in every living being.

Allow me to gather memories
lost among the sacred soundbites,
frozen in the archives of time.

Let me harmonize with the Universal Truths—
chanted since the dawn of eternity—
continually echoing in my heart,
vibrating my soul.

Sanctify my intention
to elevate ordinary moments
and be a conduit of
hope, healing, and holiness—
a source of unending love.

From Community to Chosen Family

For the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of leading a weekly Havdalah service, originally in the Value Culture Club on the Clubhouse app, and more recently on Zoom. Week after week, this sacred gathering has helped our virtual community transition from Shabbat into the new week with love and intentionality. We have laughed, prayed, and learned together; shared, supported and sustained each other– and I consider our ‘regulars’ both friends and chosen family.

Introduction to Counting the Omer 

In addition to gathering weekly for Havdalah, we have also gathered nightly to Count the Omer as a community. For those not familiar with this mitzvah, Counting the Omer is spiritual preparation for receiving the Torah on Shavuot. Just as the Israelites journeyed from Egypt to Sinai, we take an inner journey—from liberation to revelation. This seven-week period helps us refine our character and open our hearts to love and Divine wisdom. Counting the Omer helps prepare us—mind, body, and soul—to become true recipients of revelation on Shavuot, following the liberation we experience at Passover. 

If you’d like to join us, you’re warmly invited. No prior knowledge is needed—just an open heart. You can count with us, reflect with us, and be part of this meaningful community practice. We are also offering the opportunity to say Kaddish for those who have recently lost a loved one.

You are welcome to join us nightly at 10 PM ET on Zoom to Count the Omer in community. If you’d like the Zoom link, please leave a comment on this blog post, message me on FB, or email me at joanne@zenspirations.com with the subject line: “Link for community Omer Counting”.

Omer Journaling

Below are a few of the guided journaling pages I’ve created for the week of Gevurah, which you are welcome to share.

Honoring Memory: Yom HaShoah

Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, is observed in Israel on the 27th day of the month of Nisan, which in America is Wednesday night, April 23rd-Thursday April 24th. Yom HaShoah is a solemn and sacred time to remember the six million Jews who perished, as well as the countless others whose lives were forever changed by hatred and horror.

I created the image below as a visual tribute—a reminder of our collective responsibility to remember, to mourn, and to recommit ourselves to justice, compassion, and peace.

If you, or an organization you belong to, is hosting a Yom HaShoah event, please share the information in the comment section.

Closing Blessing

May we learn to recognize holiness—
in quiet moments,
in unexpected places,
and in the people who cross our path.

May the sparks of light within us
illuminate our way,
guiding us to bring healing, hope,
and harmony into the world.

May we count each day with purpose,
honor the memories of those we’ve lost,
and tend the seeds of transformation
planted deep within our souls.

Kein y’hi ratzon. May it be so.