49 days, seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot
24 Iyar 5773 | May 4, 2013
39th Day of the Omer
A person may come to sense two kinds of movement
taking place within him during prayer.
At times you may feel the left hand of God
pushing you away;
at other times God's right hand draws you near.
But even as you are pushed away,
know still
that this is only for the sake of your return.
Even as you feel
the might of God's left hand upon you,
see that it is God Himself
who touches you.
This too accept in love,
and, trembling, kiss the hand that pushes you -
for in that very moment,
the right hand awaits your coming near.
Arthur Green and Barry W. Holtz, Your Word is Fire
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 thirty-ninth day - five weeks and four days of the Omer.