Counting The Omer

[tinamarie]

Judaism is filled with celebration, and this year, from April 8 - May 26 (Nisan 16 - Sivan 7 by the Hebrew calendar), Jews everywhere are “Counting the Omer”.

What is the Omer?

In the days of the Holy Temple, the Jewish people would bring a barley offering on the second day of Passover (Leviticus 23:10). This was called the "Omer" (literally, "sheaf") and in practical terms would permit the consumption of recently-harvested grains.

Starting on the second day of Passover, 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 is the day that the Jewish people stood at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah.

The commentators say that we were freed from Egypt only in order to receive the Torah and to fulfill it. Thus we were commanded to count from the second day of Pesach until the day that the Torah was given to show how greatly we desire the Torah.


I have found much comfort and guidance in Judaism, and although I am not Jewish, I believe that by keeping our minds open to all that is out there, God will guide us to what is needed to strengthen our relationship with Him. I think an aspect of spirituality is based on introspection, leading to growth, and ultimately discovering unconditional love.

Peace to Everyone
Tina-M.

[Leon]

Thanks for that Tina, it remind me of the harvest festivals we used to have at school, like many schools we would all bring in some tins of food and loafs of bread and we would take them to the needy people within the community.

It is always good to say thank you for whatever you receive. The harvest in older times was always at the centre of most communities, before cities and factories. Still many communities in the world depend on whatever crop they harvest. It is always good to thank God for bringing another year of prosperity.