Tonight is day two of the Omer. Gevurah sheb’hesed. Within loving-kindness there is restrictive power.

I had the privilege of celebrating my birthday this year by attending the best game of the 2019-20 NBA Season, a 141-133 double overtime victory for the Boston Celtics over the visiting LA Clippers. Besides seeing the Celtics win and Jayson Tatum dominate down the stretch, the highlight for me was watching Kawhi Leonard up close. I’d never seen the reigning Finals MVP in person and to watch him battle the best basketball players in the world with his power and control was incredible. 

Day 2 of the Omer is the day of gevurah, which means power, might, and boundedness. It is the opposite of hesed, an overflowing, unbounded, loving-kindness, and associated with din or judgment. Day 2 is Gevurah sheb’hesed, a form of loving-kindness that manifests as restrictive power.