Counting the omer 2015 how to#

Each day and week is given its own mystical attribute such as chesed (loving-kindness), gevurah (restraint) and tiferet (beauty).įor example, the phrase for the fourth day of counting is Hod shel Chesed or Endurance in Lovingkindness.

These sfirot denote the ascent from the 49 “gates” of impurity of the Egyptian bondage to the purity of the Revelation at Sinai. The Kabbalists’ interpretation of these 49 days was based on the various permutations (seven times seven) of the sfirot, or mystical emanations. From that day onward, it was necessary to count 49 days until Shavuot, the Festival of the Wheat Harvest ( Leviticus 23:15).Īfter the destruction of the Temple, the practice of bringing barley was discontinued, but Jews continued to count during the Omer period.

Until that offering was made, no grain from the new year’s crop was to be eaten. So do we.īut just what is an “omer?” According to the Torah, an offering consisting of a specific measure of barley known as an omer was brought to the Temple on the second day of Passover. That person counts the days, and even the hours. Maimonides suggests that the countdown to receive the Torah can be compared to someone waiting to see his or her most intimate friend on a certain day. We echo their count thousands of years later. They were so eager for the arrival of the promised day that they began to count the days, saying each time, “Now we have one day less to wait for the giving of the Torah.” Why are we counting? According to tradition, as Rabbi Ronald Isaacs explains, the Torah would be given to the Israelites 50 days after the Exodus. This time of year is a fascinating one, long associated with spiritual, even kabbalistic growth.

Sfirat HaOmer, the period of counting the Omer, culminates seven weeks later with Shavuot. T’s somewhat ironic that on the second night of Pesach, with the holiday barely under way, Jews will be begin to prepare themselves for yet another festival. I would heartily recommend this book to anyone, including people who are interested in converting to Judaism and those who don't consider themselves spiritual seekers - although Rabbi Kantrowitz is a post-denominational Rabbi, this book is perfect for anyone of any denomination!. I don't know how Rabbi Kantrowitz managed to write meditations that are different, fresh, and profound for 49 days - but she's done an amazing job!Īlso, if you miss a day, it's not the end of the world and you don't feel that you can't get 'back on the wagon' in terms of daily meditations.

Counting the omer 2015 how to#

I don't know how Rabbi Kantrowitz managed to write meditations that are different, fresh, and profound for 49 days - but she's done an amazing job! Also, if you miss a day, it's not the end of the world and you don't feel that you can' This is one of my favorite Jewish books, and the top book on the Omer - trust me, I've looked! I read it once a year, while I'm counting the Omer, and each year it is fresh and brings me new perspectives on myself, the Omer, and how to proceed for the coming year. This is one of my favorite Jewish books, and the top book on the Omer - trust me, I've looked! I read it once a year, while I'm counting the Omer, and each year it is fresh and brings me new perspectives on myself, the Omer, and how to proceed for the coming year.