Counting the Omer: Day 32

Let's Learn Together

    The next trial of the children of Israel was an all out war against them by the people of Amalek. We must remember that the children of Israel had been slaves in Egypt for at least eighty years, if not longer. They did not have fighting skills, and without the help of HaShem they would have been at the complete mercy of Amalek and his troops.

      "Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, 'Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.'"
(Ex. 17:8-9)

      As long as Moshe was able to hold the 'rod of God' with his hands raised to heaven, the men of Israel prevailed. However, when his arms became tired and he had to rest them, the army of Amalek prevailed. Therefore, Moshe, called on Aaron and Hur to help him by supporting his hands so that Israel could win the battle.

      "So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword."
(Ex. 17:13)

• Lesson number five: Sometimes we need help to win our spiritual baffles. At those times we need to humble ourselves by asking our brothers and sisters to lift us up in prayer, that we might prevail over the attacks of the enemy.
  

… will continue tomorrow

COUNT THE OMER:  DAY 32

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-eight days, which is four weeks 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.