What is the Counting of the Omer?
What is the Counting of the Omer?
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The ‘Omer’ is a daily counting starting from the day of the giving of the Omer (a first cutting of barley that produces a grain offering). This 49-day period begins from the second night of Pesach (Passover) and continues until Shavuot (also known as ‘Pentecost’) on the 50th day.
Click here to learn more about Shavuot, the Festival of Firstfruits!
Rooted in the Bible
In fact, the Torah itself calls us to count the seven weeks following Pesach:
“You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Shabbat, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you shall present a grain offering of new grain to the Lord.” (Leviticus 23:15-16)
Deuteronomy 16:9-10 also mentions the commandment to count the omer:
“You shall count seven weeks. Begin to count the seven weeks from the time the sickle is first put to the standing grain. Then you shall keep the Feast of Weeks to the Lord your God with the tribute of a freewill offering from your hand, which you shall give as the Lord your God blesses you.”
Why do we count the Omer?
The Torah doesn’t give us a reason for the counting, and that’s why we turn to the ‘traditions of the fathers,’ where we find various explanations. Some explain that the Omer is counted in preparation of the giving of the Torah, which we celebrate on Shavuot. They add that the Children of Israel prepared by counting the days until the Torah was given.
Other Reasons
Others offer agricultural reasons—the end of the counting marks the full ripening of the wheat. Then there are those who offer spiritual reasons that include the remembrance of God. Meaning, especially during this busy harvest-time, when every farmer is overloaded with work (some even sleep in the field and work around the clock), it’s especially fitting to have a daily reminder of God's commandments and to remember that we receive everything from His open hand.
Then there are those who say that, while Passover celebrates the initial liberation of the Jewish people from Egyptian slavery, Shavuot in its turn, marks the summit of the process of redemption, when the Jews became an autonomous people with their own laws and standards. The counting of the omer helps remind us of this process of moving from a slave-mentality to a more liberated one.
Messianic Dimension
Then, of course, as believers we see an extra dimension: thanks to Yeshua’s sacrifice at Pesach, the counting of the omer might just be a wonderful opportunity to focus on our gratitude for that freedom and forgiveness we received for our sins, thanks to Yeshua! And then, we count down in anticipation towards Shavuot and internalize that that was the day that God not only gave His Torah, but His Holy Spirit as well.
Remembering God’s Provision
‘Shavuot’ literally means ‘weeks’ and refers to the 7 weeks between Passover and Shavuot, during which Israel was commanded to “present a grain offering of new grain to the Lord” (Leviticus 23:16). This grain offering is a reminder that we enjoy this harvest thanks to God’s provision. Additionally, God reminds us that the Land of Israel was given to Israel:
“I gave you a land on which you had not labored…” (Joshua 24:13).
Both the land and the harvest are gifts from God.
And so, like with each of the biblical holidays, Shavuot also begins with the remembrance of what God has done for us! In addition to redeeming Israel, God provided for her in every way, including for her spiritual and moral needs by giving the Torah and the Holy Spirit. Counting the omer is a wonderful opportunity to take a few minutes a day to focus on God’s provision and blessings for our life.
How will the counting of the omer help you focus on His goodness and blessings, this year?