The Counting of the Omer
The seven-week (49-day) period between Passover and Shavuot is called the Omer. In the days of Ancient Israel the Jewish people would bring a barley offering to the Temple on the day after the Sabbath following Passover during the week of Unleavened Bread. (Leviticus 23:10). This was called the “Omer” (literally, “sheaf”) and in practical terms would permit the consumption of recently-harvested grains.
The Torah (Leviticus 23:15) says it is a mitzvah every day to “count the Omer” – the 50 days leading up to Shavuot. This is an important period of growth and introspection, in preparation for the holiday of Shavuot which arrives 50 days later.
“‘From the day after the Sabbath (Saturday, April 27, 2024), the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. 16 Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord.
What to Say
One stands when counting the omer, and begins by reciting the following blessing:
Barukh ata Adonai
Eloheinu Melekh ha’Olam
asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav
v’tizivanu al sefirat ha’omer.
Blessed are you, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who has sanctified us with your commandments and commanded us to count the omer.
Today is the ______ day of the omer.
We have thus fulfilled the mitzvah of counting the Omer!
The seven-week (49-day) period between Passover and Shavuot is called the Omer. In the days of Ancient Israel the Jewish people would bring a barley offering to the Temple on the day after the Sabbath following Passover during the week of Unleavened Bread. (Leviticus 23:10). This was called the “Omer” (literally, “sheaf”) and in practical terms would permit the consumption of recently-harvested grains.
The Torah (Leviticus 23:15) says it is a mitzvah every day to “count the Omer” – the 50 days leading up to Shavuot. This is an important period of growth and introspection, in preparation for the holiday of Shavuot which arrives 50 days later.
“‘From the day after the Sabbath (Saturday, April 27, 2024), the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. 16 Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord.
What to Say
One stands when counting the omer, and begins by reciting the following blessing:
Barukh ata Adonai
Eloheinu Melekh ha’Olam
asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav
v’tizivanu al sefirat ha’omer.
Blessed are you, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who has sanctified us with your commandments and commanded us to count the omer.
Today is the ______ day of the omer.
We have thus fulfilled the mitzvah of counting the Omer!
Day 49 Meditation:
Today on day 49 of counting the Omer up to Shavu’ot we meditate on how Malchut (Sovereign Dominion/Servant Leadership) correlates with Malchut (Sovereign Dominion/Servant Leadership)
Examine the Divine Sovereignty of your sovereignty. Does it come from deep-rooted inner confidence in my Divine identity or ego? Is it realized to help others or just a put-on to mask my insecurities?
Ask yourself: Is my sovereignty humble or excessive? Am I aware of my uniqueness as a person? Of my personal purpose and contribution?
Exercise for the day: Take a moment and concentrate on yourself, on your true inner self, not on your performance and how you project to others; and be at peace with yourself knowing that God created a very special person which is you.
After the 49 days of Counting the Omer, after having fully achieved inner renewal by merit of having assessed and developed each of our 49 attributes, we arrive at the fiftieth day. On this day we celebrate the Festival of Shavuot, the giving of the Torah (Matan Torah). After we have accomplished all we can through our own initiative, then we are worthy to receive a gift (matan) from Above which we could not have achieved with our own limited faculties. We receive the ability to reach and touch the Divine; not only to be cultivated human beings who have refined all of our personal characteristics, but divine human beings who are capable of expressing ourselves above and beyond the definitions and limitations of our beings.
Mazal tov! Congratulations! You have completed the counting of the Omer!
Today on day 49 of counting the Omer up to Shavu’ot we meditate on how Malchut (Sovereign Dominion/Servant Leadership) correlates with Malchut (Sovereign Dominion/Servant Leadership)
Examine the Divine Sovereignty of your sovereignty. Does it come from deep-rooted inner confidence in my Divine identity or ego? Is it realized to help others or just a put-on to mask my insecurities?
Ask yourself: Is my sovereignty humble or excessive? Am I aware of my uniqueness as a person? Of my personal purpose and contribution?
Exercise for the day: Take a moment and concentrate on yourself, on your true inner self, not on your performance and how you project to others; and be at peace with yourself knowing that God created a very special person which is you.
After the 49 days of Counting the Omer, after having fully achieved inner renewal by merit of having assessed and developed each of our 49 attributes, we arrive at the fiftieth day. On this day we celebrate the Festival of Shavuot, the giving of the Torah (Matan Torah). After we have accomplished all we can through our own initiative, then we are worthy to receive a gift (matan) from Above which we could not have achieved with our own limited faculties. We receive the ability to reach and touch the Divine; not only to be cultivated human beings who have refined all of our personal characteristics, but divine human beings who are capable of expressing ourselves above and beyond the definitions and limitations of our beings.
Mazal tov! Congratulations! You have completed the counting of the Omer!