THE COUNTING OF THE OMER
"And 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; they you shall bring an offering of new grain to the Lord." Lev 23:15-16
From the second night of Passover (April 20, 2011) until the day before the Jewish holiday of Shavu'ot (June 8, 2011), the Jewish people engage in a time of "Counting the Omer." A period of seven weeks or forty-nine days is counted, as commanded in the book of Leviticus 23:15.
The omer was a measure of barley (approximately 2 quarts) that the Jewish people brought as the afternoon offering on the second day of Passover. All of these numbers have significant meaning. Seven is, of course, the number for "completion." Thus, seven times seven is the superlative way of saying "completion." Fifty is the number used for the year of Jubilee, when servitude and debt were forgiven. The giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai happened on the fiftieth day from the second night of Passover, according to the rabbis. The Torah, word of God, brought jubilee or freedom to God's people.
At the end of the evening prayer on each of these forty-nine nights, the Jewish person recites a blessing and then verbalizes the number of that day. At the end of the counting a special grain offering was brought to the Temple. This offering was waved in different directions, to demonstrate God's all-encompassing presence.
What could possibly be the significance of this counting for us today, you might be wondering. Foremost, this counting expresses one's eager anticipation of receiving the Torah (Law) or God's word on the fiftieth day after experiencing the liberation and miracle of the Passover. The word for Egypt in Hebrew (mitzrayim) means "limitations and boundaries." It represents all forms of conformity and definition that restrain, inhibit, or hamper our free movement and expression. Therefore, leaving Egypt means freedom from constraints. After leaving Egypt, the Jewish people spent the next forty-nine days preparing themselves spiritually for the most monumental experience of all time: the giving of the Torah to Moses and the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. God did not just drop the Torah on the people. There was a journey and the forty-nine day period of the counting of the omer is that journey.
Hence, this forty-nine day period is meant to refine and spiritually prepare ourselves for the event, not unlike the Lenten period which is meant to prepare us for union with the Risen Lord. It is during this period that we strive to grow and mature in our spiritual state. The Torah, as well as other Scripture, does not allow us to become satisfied with our current level of spirituality. Instead, it tells us to set high goals for ourselves and then methodically strive to reach each goal. It is a forty-nine day spiritual journey from Exodus to Sinai. It is a fixed time, emphasized by the actual, out loud counting of each day, to become fit receptacles for God. During the counting of the omer, the rabbis instruct that there are specific attributes to be contemplated each week: loving kindness, justice, compassion, fortitude, humility, bonding, and sovereignty. Further, each one of these is to be contemplated in light of the other for each day of the week.
After we have accomplished all we can do on our own, through our own initiative and contemplation, they we are worthy to receive a gift from above--God's grace. We receive the ability to commune with the Divine. We made the journey into God's all-encompassing presence. Hallelujah to God for this incredible shalom (peace).
From the second night of Passover (April 20, 2011) until the day before the Jewish holiday of Shavu'ot (June 8, 2011), the Jewish people engage in a time of "Counting the Omer." A period of seven weeks or forty-nine days is counted, as commanded in the book of Leviticus 23:15.
The omer was a measure of barley (approximately 2 quarts) that the Jewish people brought as the afternoon offering on the second day of Passover. All of these numbers have significant meaning. Seven is, of course, the number for "completion." Thus, seven times seven is the superlative way of saying "completion." Fifty is the number used for the year of Jubilee, when servitude and debt were forgiven. The giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai happened on the fiftieth day from the second night of Passover, according to the rabbis. The Torah, word of God, brought jubilee or freedom to God's people.
At the end of the evening prayer on each of these forty-nine nights, the Jewish person recites a blessing and then verbalizes the number of that day. At the end of the counting a special grain offering was brought to the Temple. This offering was waved in different directions, to demonstrate God's all-encompassing presence.
What could possibly be the significance of this counting for us today, you might be wondering. Foremost, this counting expresses one's eager anticipation of receiving the Torah (Law) or God's word on the fiftieth day after experiencing the liberation and miracle of the Passover. The word for Egypt in Hebrew (mitzrayim) means "limitations and boundaries." It represents all forms of conformity and definition that restrain, inhibit, or hamper our free movement and expression. Therefore, leaving Egypt means freedom from constraints. After leaving Egypt, the Jewish people spent the next forty-nine days preparing themselves spiritually for the most monumental experience of all time: the giving of the Torah to Moses and the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. God did not just drop the Torah on the people. There was a journey and the forty-nine day period of the counting of the omer is that journey.
Hence, this forty-nine day period is meant to refine and spiritually prepare ourselves for the event, not unlike the Lenten period which is meant to prepare us for union with the Risen Lord. It is during this period that we strive to grow and mature in our spiritual state. The Torah, as well as other Scripture, does not allow us to become satisfied with our current level of spirituality. Instead, it tells us to set high goals for ourselves and then methodically strive to reach each goal. It is a forty-nine day spiritual journey from Exodus to Sinai. It is a fixed time, emphasized by the actual, out loud counting of each day, to become fit receptacles for God. During the counting of the omer, the rabbis instruct that there are specific attributes to be contemplated each week: loving kindness, justice, compassion, fortitude, humility, bonding, and sovereignty. Further, each one of these is to be contemplated in light of the other for each day of the week.
After we have accomplished all we can do on our own, through our own initiative and contemplation, they we are worthy to receive a gift from above--God's grace. We receive the ability to commune with the Divine. We made the journey into God's all-encompassing presence. Hallelujah to God for this incredible shalom (peace).
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Posted by Adrienne Gottlieb at 4/18/2011 9:11 PM 
Categories: Bible:Jewish Feasts:Counting the Omer
Tags: Bible Counting Omer Passover Shavuot First Fruits Feasts fifty jubilee seven forty nine Torah Egypt limita dedication Fellowship with God festivals Hebrew numbers Israel Jewish Holiday Jewish people Jews Scripture
Categories: Bible:Jewish Feasts:Counting the Omer
Tags: Bible Counting Omer Passover Shavuot First Fruits Feasts fifty jubilee seven forty nine Torah Egypt limita dedication Fellowship with God festivals Hebrew numbers Israel Jewish Holiday Jewish people Jews Scripture
Dear Adrienne,
I have to be honest with you my friend. After I read this posting, I waited to comment. I waited because I wanted to see what others would share with you.
I truly believe this teaching on the Counting of Omer will prove to be one of the most crucial things you've ever written. I'm being very sincere.
I'm not dismayed but yet again you've taken your precious time to inform others about something that is mass critical.
I think the mainstream "chuch" doesn't yet realize the importance of the times and seasons we're living in nor our absolute connection to the Jewish people. It grieves me at times that fellow Christians would not take these days seriously and seek G-d's wisdom through His Words.
As we count the days to Shavu'ot this year we See in the news the evil and horrific things taking place in the Middle East. Israel and Jews globally are being attacked in ways I never would have believed possible in my lifetime!
Many are saying "I Stand with Israel!" Only G-d knows their hearts. I won't judge others, but their words and hearts are far from their true intent. They're missing out the very tangible essence of our Hebrew roots. Some days I've asked G-d "why" can't my fellow Believers See and Perceive that far beyond Easter we're still connected to our Jewish brothers and sisters? Christians celebrate Pentecost usually on the same day as Shavu'ot. We must enter into a deeper level of wisdom and understanding concerning these things Now!
I can do one thing, Pray that a Great Awakening happens Soon or I believe many Christians will get a major Wake Up call! Religious elitism has tried to snuff out the not so comfortable Old Testament or operate in that vile thing called "Replacement Theology" which has misled so many.
It's Time Adrienne! I honor you for sharing this blog and for the pearls of wisdom you've freely given to All. Be of good courage! The Real Church "Bride of Christ without spot nor wrinkle" will enter in. I pray we're among one of the five wise virgins.
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21
peace+Joy+blessings, Donna Ann
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P.S. I "liked" this twice!
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This is wonderful, Adrienne. It's difficult to find enough time to read everything that's truly worthy of our attention, but having now subscribed to your blog, it will be easier, not only to find but also to pass along to others via email.
GOD has truly gifted your pen and trained you well over the years to share this rich understanding for the crucial days in which we are privileged to live.
To me, one of the main reasons the "churched" Christians do not see the relevance of GOD's set/appointed times is simply because the leadership, i.e. pastors, priests, etc., denigrates and denies them, relegating them to the Old Covenant, which by their own calculations, doesn't apply to this "dispensation", end of discussion! These same "shepherds" will have much to answer for when Almighty GOD convenes his court!
Jer.9:25-26 reveals exactly what He thinks about superficial "religion" and the Laodician spirit that has the "church" by the throat. All this in no way exonerates GOD's children from their own personal responsiblity to search these things out for themselves! But most merely want regurgitated words that are easy to swallow and don't cause them anxiety...certainly nothing to make them think!!!
As is written in Malachi 3: Once more there's going to be a difference, clearly seen, between those who choose righteousness over those who take the well-beaten path. Time will certainly tell...and soon, I think!
GOD's richest blessings on you as you pursue him and speak out in whatever venue he provides to give warning, no matter who gets offended.
Ezek. 3:16-21 has been an important passage to me since childhood and was sovereignly placed in my heart by the LORD all those decades ago. It's relevance to me is becoming clearer day by day.
GOD is with you! Shabbat shalom, Marie
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