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Chaveirim y'karim - dear friends,
In ancient days, when the Great Temple stood, a measure of barley was brought daily to the Temple beginning with the second day of Pesach. We are commanded in Leviticus 23, "And from the day on which you bring the sheaf (omer עֹ֖מֶר) of elevation offering—the day after the sabbath (the first day of Pesach) — you shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete: you must count until the day after the seventh week—fifty days; then you shall bring an offering of new grain to יהוה."
There is an immediate connection between Pesach and Shavuot in that what begins with Pesach ends with Shavuot - similar to Sukkot's beginning ending with Shemini Atzeret.
To this day, we count seven weeks to the holiday of Shavuot (which means 'weeks') to mark the arrival of the Spring's first fruits. Following the destruction of the Second Temple, the period of "Counting the Omer" began to take on various meanings, some of which we will explore between now and Shavuot.
In order to fulfill the mitzvah, you simply stand, recite these words, and poof (!), mitzvah accomplished. Only 612 more to do :) !
Now ... where and how to do this? Of course, there are apps to help you in this moment. I'm particularly fond of the app provided by Rabbi Simon Jacobson. Have a look here. If you want the on-line experience of something very creative - visit none other than: Counting the Omer with Homer (Simpson) at homercalendar.net. Even if you aren't a fan of The Simpsons, it's a great site with tons of good information about the custom AND the television series.
Lastly, these seven weeks are a time to explore one of the richest sources of Jewish learning - the Pirkei Avot, the Ethics of our Ancestors. This is a tractate of the Mishnah dedicate to, for, and about the Rabbis (of Old). The text was "democratized" over the centuries and is for all of us to explore. Because there are six chapters, it makes it very useful to explore one chapter per week of counting the Omer. To explore the text, you can find it at MyJewishLearning and learn more at . So too, if you want to take a course with Tikvah, they are offering an audio course with Rabbi Meir Soloveitchik or to study with Hadar, they have an online course starting in May which will explore Midrash and the Pirkei Avot.
Shabbat shalom, moadim l'simcha,
Rabbi Mark Cohn
Pictured above is a fabulous Omer Chart created by Lieba B. Ruth and Aharon Varady.
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