Counting the Omer: Day 18

Let's Learn Together

What was actually offered in the Temple as a 'wave sheaf or 'firstfruits' offering was two quarts of barley grain that had been thrashed, parched, beaten and sieved into fine flour. The Jewish Encyclopedia, in the article entitled, Omer, has this to say about the preparation:

"After the grain had been gathered it was brought to the courtyard of the Temple, where, according to R. (Rabbi) Meir, it was parched while it was still in the ear; according to the other rabbis, it was first thrashed and then parched. The grain was ground into coarse meal and then sifted through thirteen sieves until it became very clean, after which the tenth part was taken, the measure of the 'omer, and given to the priest. ... The priest proceeded with the 'omer as with any other meal-offering, he poured oil and frankincense over the meal, 'waved' it, and then burned a handful of it on the altar; the remainder was eaten by the priests."  (Vol. IX, p. 399).

The manner of waving is also described in the same article:     

"The offering was placed on the extended hands of the priest, who moved them backward and forward (to counteract the effects of injurious winds) and then upward and downward (to counteract the effects of injurious dews; ...). As soon as the 'omer ceremony was completed the people of Jerusalem were permitted to eat of the newly harvested grain; people of towns far from Jerusalem might not do so until after noon, when it was certain that the ceremony at Jerusalem had been concluded."   (Vol. IX, p. 399)

As any grain farmer will tell you, the most harmful things to a ripe grain crop are high winds, which cause the grain to fall to the ground making it impossible to harvest; heavy rains which flatten the grain stalks, making it difficult to harvest; or several days of consistently heavy dew which can cause the grain to mildew. Apparently the 'waving' part of the ceremony accompanied the priests prayer that these conditions not occur, so that the farmers could bring in the full harvest of good grain during the next fifty day period.

… will continue tomorrow

COUNT THE OMER:  DAY 18

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is eighteen days, which is two weeks and four days of the Omer.

For the Choirmaster; a song with instrumental music; a Psalm. God be gracious to us and bless us; may You make Your countenance shine upon us forever; that Your way be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. The nations will extol You, O God; all the nations will extol You. The nations will rejoice and sing for joy, for You will judge the peoples justly and guide the nations on earth forever. The peoples will extol You, O God; all the peoples will extol You, for the earth will have yielded its produce and God, our God, will bless us. God will bless us; and all, from the farthest corners of the earth, shall fear Him.

 We implore You, by the great power of Your right hand, release the captive. Accept the prayer of Your people; strengthen us, purify us, Awesome One. Mighty One, we beseech You, guard as the apple of the eye those who seek Your Oneness. Bless them, cleanse them; bestow upon them forever Your merciful righteousness. Powerful, Holy One, in Your abounding goodness, guide Your congregation. Only and Exalted One, turn to Your people who are mindful of Your holiness. Accept our supplication and hear our cry, You who knows secret thoughts. Blessed be the name of the glory of Your kingdom forever and ever.

Master of the universe, You have commanded us through Moses Your servant to count the Omer, in order to purify us from our evil and uncleanness. As You have written in Your Torah, "You shall count for yourselves from the day following the day of rest, from the day on which you bring the Omer as a wave-offering; [the counting] shall be for seven full weeks. Until the day following the seventh week shall you count fifty days," so that the souls of Your people may be cleansed from their defilement. Therefore, may it be Your will, Lord our God and God of our fathers, that Your people may be purified and sanctified with Your holiness.  Amen, selah.