49 days, seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot
16 Nisan 5773 | March 27, 2013
1st Day of the Omer
For the past several years, we have observed a spiritual practice of the daily counting of the Omer. Every day I send out an email to our congregation with a short passage for contemplation, inspiration and consideration. This seven-week period becomes a journey toward self-awareness and inner liberation; we become conscious of the gift and potential of each day, which reminds us to make every day count.
The Counting of the Omer begins on Passover (the holiday of freedom) and ends on Shavuot (the holiday celebrating our receiving the Torah); there is a historical theme of the journey from slavery to liberation, from wandering in the desert to revelation at Mount Sinai. The arc of this historical narrative becomes personal as we engage in a practice that involves a journey toward inner freedom.
The laws regarding the Omer are very strict: every day matters and not one may be missed. Not to waste a single day should be our ideal in life....in general we could perhaps say that a day is wasted when we've done nothing that brings happiness or good to others, and nothing that brings a sense of purpose to ourselves.
The Eternal Journey: Meditations on the Jewish Year, Jonathan Wittenberg
Enjoy the journey...
Baruch Ata Adonai Elo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam a-sher ke-d-sha-nu b- mitz-vo-tav, v-tzi-va-nu al s-fi-rat ha-omer.
Praised be you Adonai our God who rules the Universe instilling within us the holiness of mitzvot by commanding us to count the Omer.
Today is the first day of the Omer.