Counting the Omer: Day 24

Let's Learn Together

Jewish tradition teaches that the Exodus began during the early morning hours of Aviv or Nisan 15 (while it was still dark), which in that year was the fifth day of the week (a Thursday morning).

Before moving on to Mount Sinai, the children of Israel had to find a way across the Sea of Reeds. Most Jewish tradition places this event on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, seven days after the Exodus. However, another view has it on the third day of the Exodus. Three days would have brought them to the first day of the week (a Sunday) for the crossing of the sea.

The crossing of the Reed Sea marks the completion of the redemption phase of the journey, because up until that point there was still a danger that Pharaoh might be able to force the children of Israel to return to slavery. Once the crossing of the sea took place, Pharaoh and his army (representing HaSatan and his demons) no longer had any hold over the redeemed children of Israel. Thus, the Reed Sea crossing symbolized baptism and completed the redemption phase.

Now, the children of Israel had to journey on to Mount Sinai to receive HaShem's instruction (Torah). This journey would bring them to the fullness of their wedding with HaShem (YHVH), for He had redeemed them from slavery to their evil adoptive father, the Pharaoh of Egypt, who had held them in bondage. The Mount Sinai experience brought them into the fullness of being HaShem's people, by giving them the instruction (Torah) they needed to fulfill that role.

… will continue tomorrow

COUNT THE OMER:  DAY 24

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-four days, which is three weeks and three 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.