Countdown…

by tzadikguy

Each year people across the globe count down to New Year’s Day usually 10 seconds before midnight. Whether it is Rosh HaShanah, the Chinese New Year, or the Roman Calendar New Year it is customary to prepare one’s self for the approaching year. Some traditionally throw boisterous, confetti-filled parties and/or light fireworks to “ring in the New Year”. Nevertheless counting down to something exciting is not a new concept. The purposes are to increase anticipation, ensure preparations are in order, and have a continuous reminder of an impending event. Well some people have missed a very important command {mitzvah} in the Torah to countdown the days of the Omer from Passover {Pesach} to Pentecost {Shavu’ot}.
The command {mitzvah} is found in Leviticus 23:15-16 and it says:

“¹⁵You shall count for yourselves – from the morrow of the rest day, from the day when you bring the Omer of the waving – seven weeks, they shall be complete. ¹⁶Until the morrow of the seventh week you shall count, fifty days; and you shall offer a new meal-offering to HaShem.”

What exactly is an Omer? According to Rabbi Shraga Simmons from aish.com the Omer is explained as such:

“In the days of the Holy Temple, the Jewish people would bring a barley offering on the second day of Passover (Leviticus 23:10). This was called the ‘Omer’ (literally, ‘sheaf’) and in practical terms would permit the consumption of recently-harvested grains.”

Pentecost {Shavu’ot} is the day that Israel was given the Torah on Mount Sinai! Of all the significant events throughout scripture I would place the giving of the Torah high on the list as worthy of a countdown. It is His Word and His essence manifested through the beautifully written words on stone and parchment. The Torah was His gift to us so that we may walk in righteousness, bring honor to His name, and love Him. During Passover {Pesach} we celebrate Israel’s redemption from slavery in Egypt but it was not complete until HaShem endowed Israel with His Torah 50 days later. What a beautiful event to celebrate and remember and we do this through the Counting of the Omer {Sefirat Ha’Omer} as HaShem said.

In addition, since we know that obedience is what demonstrates our love for HaShem let us fulfill this command {mitzvah} together and “ring in Pentecost {Shavu’ot}”. You can receive daily Tweets with the day of the Omer by following us on Twitter at twitter.com/menoftorah.

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