By Rabbi Lana Zilberman Soloway

Here we are on the last day of Passover, getting ready to celebrate Mimouna tonight and eat lots of Chametz — you are coming, right? But the Jewish Calendar does not stop. Time continues to move forward, reminding us about what is about to happen next. 

Every year, we count 49 days from the first day of Passover, all the way to the festival of Shavuot, which is celebrated fifty days after Passover, commemorating the Israelite liberation from Egypt culminating with the giving of the Torah. 

The Torah is considered the heart and soul of the Jewish people. Studying the Torah is a high mitzvah. The Torah was given to the Israelites by God almighty at Mount Sinai, in the presence of all the Jewish people at that time. It was given first to our great leader Moshe (Moses), who then gave it to the elders, who then gave it to the people. 

From walking through the parted sea of reeds to Mount Sinai, our ancestors needed to prepare themselves for the revelation of the Torah. That was a spiritual journey of forty-nine days, called the Omer. 

Omer means a sheaf. It refers to the measure of grain that was once offered at the Temple in Jerusalem. Counting each of the days of the Omer is a biblical commandment (Mitzvat Aseh) as it is written in the book of Leviticus 23:15-21:

“From the day on which you bring the sheaf of elevation offering the day after the Sabbath, you shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete. You must count until the day after the seventh week fifty days; then you shall bring an offering of new grain to God. You shall bring from your settlements two loaves of bread as an elevation offering. On that same day you shall hold a celebration; it shall be a sacred occasion for you; you shall not work at your occupations. This is a law for all time in all your settlements throughout the ages.”

Jewish people have been following this commandment for 3500 years, all over the world. As we walk from our own parted sea of reeds to Mount Sinai, we receive an opportunity for introspection and personal development. In order to help us do that, the Kabbalists, in the 16th century, assigned each week and each day within that week with different middot (virtues/values). 

Today is eight days, which is one week and one day of the Omer. 

The Chesed (overflowing loving kindness) within the Gevurah (judgment, justice, rigor). The love inside the judgment. 

Intrigued? Want to explore more? This year, Valley Rabbis have embarked on a counting journey together. Every day, a different Rabbi from our area shares an insight about the day’s count. You can join the journey and follow this beautiful initiative on Instagram and Facebook. One of these days, you might find your own Rabbis there. 

https://www.instagram.com/boardofrabbis/

https://www.facebook.com/BoardofRabbis

The counting of the Omer serves as a link between Passover and Shavuot.

It reminds us of the liberation we celebrated during Passover and just how easy it is for us to slip back into slavery. Let each day bring us a moment of meditation to work on our best selves and prepare ourselves for receiving the Torah on Shavuot. May we learn how to make our lives easier yet more meaningful as we celebrate in a small way each day, focusing on the important moments of life.

Happy counting!