Counting The Omer

A JOURNEY OF 1000 MILES….

COUNTING THE OMER

Escaping Egypt was only the beginning of the journey, not its goal.  Similarly we do not celebrate the seder and proclaim that we have arrived, rather we begin counting off the days after the brief pause to celebrate our escape from slavery.  The journey begins with a single step, and we count off each day along the way.  “And you shall count for yourselves, from the morrow of the rest day from the day your bring the Omer as a wave offering, seven weeks; they shall be complete…” (Leviticus 23: 15-16) 

The Omer refers literally to the barley harvest, but spiritually marks each day of the journey from the shore of the Reed Sea to the foot of Mt. Sinai, from the physical liberation of escape to the spiritual liberation of the Torah.  The Omer counts from Passover until Erev Shavuot (May 22), which celebrates the receiving of the Torah.

Beginning at the 2^nd Seder we recite a blessing, “al sefirat ha-Omer” – for the counting of the Omer, and count each individual day: “Today is the 3rd day of the Omer” or Today is the 8^th day, which is one week and one day, of the Omer.” 

It sounds so easy.  Just a few seconds at the setting of the sun to acknowledge that we have moved one day farther away from slavery, one day closer to redemption.  Still it requires discipline and focus.  It was Willie Loman, in Arthur Miller’s classic play Death of a Salesman, who cried out, “Attention must be paid.”  Willie Loman passed away unnoticed, and the analogy is that without attention our escape from slavery could amount to nothing. 

There are many approaches to the counting of the Omer. 

       The most whimsical approach to the Omer is found at:jvibe.com/homer/Welcome.html where you are invited to count the Omer with Homer Simpson.  The site offers interesting insights into the Omer and into Homer.

At http://www.torahtots.com/holidays/pesach/omer_%20listing_%205766.htm you can count off with your children and place a check mark for each day. 

At http://www.ritualwell.org/holidays/countingtheomer/primaryobject.2005-07-05.7849440698 you can explore a feminist rendition of the Omer.

       One traditional approach is to dedicate these days to the study of Pirke Avot, an ethical manual from the Talmud.  The idea is that we use these days to repair our soul, as if we too had been crushed by slavery, so that we are spiritually ready to receive the Torah on Shavuot.  Aish offers an interesting daily review of its teachings: http://www.aish.com/omerThemes/omerThemesDefault/Counting_with_the_48_Ways_.asp

       The Kabbalists teach that each day marks an ascent up the ladder of Divine attributes. This too is a way to purify one’s soul as you journey from slavery toward meeting God at the mountain.  Each day you explore the relationship of the seven attributes of God: lovingkindness, justice, harmony, endurance, humility, bonding and leadership. 

In the end all of these approaches return to the basic cry: attention must be paid.  We are not simply freed slaves wandering aimlessly in the world, but the People of Israel, blessed by our relationship with God.