Counting the Omer.

On the second night of Passover some Jews begin a practice known as counting the Omer.  This practice, which lasts for 49 days, cumulates in the celebration known as Shavuot.
 

You might ask, what is an Omer, and where does this practice come from? We find our answer in the book of Leviticus chapter 23, where there is listed all of the feasts of the Lord. In this chapter we find descriptions of Passover, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah as well as Sukkot; and in verses 9-16, Shavuot.
 

An Omer is a sheaf of grain, in this case barley. On the second day of Passover we offered up the first grain offering of the year to God in the Temple. In verse 16 we read that this counting should continue for 7 Sabbaths, after which there is to be a new sacrifice.
 

So you might ask, what is the significance today, and how can we as Jews in the new millennium make sense out of this piece of Torah? The Rabbis have been asking this same question since the Temple was destroyed, adding layers of significance to this practice of counting. It has been suggested that this period of counting also coincides with our coming out of Egypt and arriving at Mount Sinai where God gives Moses the Torah, or at least the 10 commandments. This counting coincides with us counting down the days until we receive the Torah.
 

It is a time of preparation for and anticipation of receiving of the holy text that will unite us and set us apart as the people of Israel forever. The mystics also suggested that this time of counting is a period in which we can look deep within ourselves, examining our hearts to see if we are ready to receive this timeless treasure. Each day that we count we are to focus on attributes of ourselves that if refined within our hearts will make us capable of receiving Torah on a more profound level.

On the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer, also known as "Lag B'Omer," is a minor holiday, often celebrated with bonfires and with singing, not unlike our own campfires. All over the land of Israel you can see many such fires on the hilltops surrounded with dancing and song. This year Lag B'Omer will take place from Sunset May 9th to sunset May 10.
 

It has also been said that not only did God choose us to receive the Torah, but we also chose to receive it ourselves. It is in this capacity that we often use this holiday as a time to welcome converts into the community and to celebrate the confirmation of our young adults. Shavuot is significant in the lives of Reform Jews as we welcome both blended families and their children into our community, as well as those who have embraced Judaism as adults as I have. We confirm everyone's choice to follow God and Torah for no other reason than the desires of their hearts. So, as we celebrate Shavuot and the confirmation of our class of 2012, may we also reconnect with them on that mountain where long ago we stood with our community and received the gift of Torah. As we applaud their efforts may we renew our own.

Chag Sameach, Mazel Tov!

Bles-sings,

Kathy Gohr