Counting the Omer: Day 22

Let's Learn Together

So it was, on the fiftieth day of the Omer count, that the spring moed or appointed time of Shavu'ot (Day of Pentecost) was observed. It too was called a day of 'firstfruits.' Thus the 'Counting of the Omer' both begins and ends with a day which, in some way, represents the 'firstfruits' of the harvest. During this entire time, not only was grain harvesting taking place, but late in the fifty days the early fruits also began to ripen. Thus, Shavu'ot marked the end of the spring grain harvest and also the beginning of the summer fruit harvest, the time when the 'firstfruits' of that harvest were brought to the Temple.

Another way of looking at these festivals is in the context of a marriage ceremony. Passover represents the acceptance by the bride (the children of Israel) with the betrothal cup presented to her by her prospective Husband, YHVH. By accepting the blood of the lamb, and placing it on the doorpost of their homes, the children of Israel were accepting the Ketuvah, their marriage contract or covenant. Then, at Mount Sinai, the actual wedding took place. The Bridegroom (YHVH) appeared, the Bride (the children of Israel) was present, the best man (Moshe) was there, and the wedding vows were exchanged by the Bride accepting the terms of the Ketuvah or covenant.

"So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words (the
Ketuvah) which the LORD commanded him. Then all the people answered together and said, 'All that the LORD has spoken we will do.' So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD."
(Ex. 19:7-8)

It is interesting to note that in Jewish practice, the Sabbath before Shavu'ot is termed, Shabbat
Kalah,' which is the same name given to the Sabbath before any bride's wedding.  However one wishes to view this event, the simple fact is that Passover and Shavu'ot are definitely interconnected.

… will continue tomorrow

COUNT THE OMER:  DAY 22

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 twenty-two days, which is three weeks and one day 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.