There is a commandment (Leviticus 23:15) to count the 49 days that immediately follow the first night of Passover and, on the 50th night, to celebrate the holiday of Shavuot. This period of time is called Sefirat Ha’omer, the Counting of the Omer, because the counting begins on the night before the barley offering (omer) was brought to the Temple, which was on the second day of Passover.
The connection between Passover and Shavuot, the departure of the Jews from Egypt was only the beginning of the redemption. The Exodus actually culminated with the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, and is commemorated by the holiday of Shavuot. This connection is clearly marked by Sefirat Ha’omer, the Counting of the Omer.
How to Count the Omer: Each night, starting with the second night of Passover (the second seder outside of Israel), a blessing is recited and the new day is counted.
The blessing is as follows:
Baruch Ah’tah Ah’doh’nai, Eh’lo’hay’nu Melech Ha’olam, asher kideshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzeevanu al sefirat ha’omer.
Blessed are You Lord, our God, Ruler of the world, Who sanctified us through His commandments and commanded us, regarding the Counting of the Omer.
The blessing is followed by the actual counting of the day. For example: “Today is day one of the Omer”….”Today is eight days, which are one week and one day of the Omer.” The formal counting of the day is followed by a prayer for the restoration of the Temple: “May the Compassionate One return to us the service of the Temple to its place, speedily in our days. Amen, Selah!”
If a person misses the counting of a complete day, counting may be resumed on subsequent nights, however, the blessing is no longer recited.
This year, the Counting of the Omer begins on Sunday night, March 28th.
This Treat is reposted in honor of Passover.
Copyright © 2021 NJOP. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
National Freedom Day
Today, February 1st, is both National Freedom Day and the first day of Black History…
0 Comments2 Minutes
Jewish Expression
Celebrate the freedom of religious expression in the United States by freely expressing…
0 Comments1 Minute
Your Jewish Life Coach
Do you have a life coach? For those unfamiliar with the term, life coaches work to help…
0 Comments2 Minutes