This is the final week of the Omer, the culmination of our seven weeks of introspection, reflection, and analysis. This sefira is referred to as both Malkhut, kingdom, and ShekhinaLiterally translated as “Presence,” while rabbinically, it is a term referring to God’s presence in the world. Its feminine form gave rise to the mystical expression of God’s feminine attributes., queendom, and it is about the Divine presence within us and around us. 

This most imminent element is about Divine leadership and authority, the instinctual energy that guides us, as well as the elements of the world around us that showcase Divine guidance. 

When we recognize our own Divine authority, we are also able to recognize the Divine in others. When we lead with our Divine intentionality, we forge and stay on the path that is right for us, leading us to manifestation. 

There is a parable often told of a person waiting to be saved from a flood. They ignore the boat and plane sent to rescue them, citing that God will help. In actuality, the boat and the plane, or more accurately the captains of those vessels, were the Divine intervention. The music on this playlist is also, I would suggest, divine intervention. Learn from the insights of the artists, and let the music inspire your personal path.

Please note, my playlists include explicit content; any explicit content is labeled with a capital E on Spotify. 

Directionality

This sefira is associated with the feet, which point us wherever we choose to go. We have to be intentional and directional with where we take steps. We have to choose to take steps that lead us away from where we have been already, to grow and change into improved versions of ourselves. 

Because of this, there are a few songs about walking and physically leading. There are also songs about change, because establishing directionality means changing directions. 

Songs about change that don’t contain the word in the title fall into a few categories. 

“Anti-Curse” by boygenius and “I Wanna Get Better” by Bleachers are about knowing the ways you would like to change and improve. “Deeper Well” by Kacey Musgraves and “Eat the Acid” by Kesha are about having experiences that highlight the ways you have already changed, and embracing that change moving forward. 

They all touch on the desire and need to change, to continue to develop, and to do so with intention, to have a direction as to what kind of changes you’re making, and how. 

Leadership and Nobility

Once a path is forged and steps are ready to be taken, leadership emerges to guide the journey. Nobility means to lead with ideals, ethics, and a moral compass. 

This playlist has music about being a leader: many with the word itself in the title, as well as many with the word “follow” in the title. Sometimes the music inspires us to be leaders in our own lives, like “Deleter” by GROUPLOVE, and sometimes it inspires us to follow that which will lead us where we want to go.  

Some of these artists illustrate noble leadership in their music, either by providing examples from their own lives or speaking to their inspirations. In “just like magic,” Ariana Grande takes us through a typical day in her life and cites her success in how she carries herself, leading with direction. On “The Path,” Lorde takes the noble approach of not claiming authority over anyone else’s path.

Sovereignty: Royal Authority

As previously mentioned, Shekhina is thought of as the most imminent element of the Divine, because it is the Divine presence within us. This is because we are all made b’tzelem elohim, in God’s form. 

There are songs about royalty on this playlist, of course, though many of those don’t necessarily touch on divine sovereignty in their lyrics. Some, however, highlight aspects of royalty that are meaningful. For example, “Dreams” by The Snuts is about living out your dreams in a meaningful relationship, by treating yourself and each other like royalty.  

We all have an element of the Divine embedded in our souls, and Divine authority within us that we use to point our way. If we get to know this part of ourselves, we will be in touch with our spiritual power and better able to lead ourselves on our journeys. 

Therefore, the playlist includes songs about knowing yourself and knowing more omniscient truths about the world. Billie Eilish perfectly encapsulates this concept with “Therefore I Am.” On “Lights Up,” Harry Styles asks “Do you know how you are?” and explains that once we know, we should step into the light and shine brightly. 

Counting the Omer is a holistic spiritual endeavor. We build upon the introspection and discovery of each week, leading to this culmination of established Divine authority from within. We are now spiritually prepared to receive the TorahRefers to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, also called the Five Books of Moses, Pentateuch or the Hebrew equivalent, Humash. This is also called the Written Torah. The term may also refer to teachings that expound on Jewish tradition., and to reveal new torah on our journey. 

Happy listening, and chag sameach!