On the second day of Passover many Jews begin the tradition of counting the Omer. “Omer” is the Hebrew word for a sheaf offering brought to the Temple following the commandment “you shall bring a sheaf… and you shall count seven weeks (49 days).” The 50th day is Shavuot, the celebration of the receiving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. As part of the daily prayer liturgy during this time, each day is counted in anticipation of reaching the end and the celebration of the receiving of the word of God.
Over the course of centuries these 49 days have taken on a very special significance beyond just counting time. The days of the Omer began to take on a characteristic of semi-mourning; marriages, haircutting, the use of musical instruments and some other activities are prohibited according to many who follow traditional practices. This was generally associated with a plague that decimated the disciples of Rabbi Akiva. Subsequently, this period also came to commemorate the Jewish victims of the Crusades in the 1096 & 1146 and the massacres of the Polish and Ukranian Jews by the Cossacks in the spring of 1648. Subsequently during these 49 days is the beginning of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising which symbolizes the Nazi attempt at the extermination of the Jews.
The semi-mourning period is stopped briefly on three days: Rosh Chodesh, Lag B’omer (33rd day of the Omer) and Israel Independence Day. On these days one tends to celebrate joyfully permitting many of the activities generally prohibited.
Enjoy taking the time each day of counting the Omer, as if it’s a ladder, and each rung brings us closer to the aura of God’s giving us that most exalted gift, the gift of our Torah.
