Counting the Omer

After the Seder has been celebrated, the Jewish people look with anticipation for the fruits of the spring harvest.

"From the day after the Sabbath, count off seven full weeks.  Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, then present an offering to the Lord."  (Leviticus 23:15-16)

Starting the Sabbath after Pesach (Passover), the Jewish people engage in a time of "Counting the Omer." A period of 7-weeks, or 49-days, the Omer is counted every evening, which is the beginning of the new day.

An Omer was a measure of barley (2 quarts) that the Jewish people brought as an offering on the second day of Pesach.

At the end of the evening prayer on each of these 49-nights, the Jews recite a blessing and then call out the number of the day and the week.  According to the authorities, if one missed counting one day, the whole 7-week period is considered 'incomplete.'

The Torah says it is a Mitzah (blessing) to "Count the Omer" every day of the 49-days, which leads up to the Festival of Shavuot.

This 49-day period is a reflection of the 40-days Yeshua remained with His disciples after His resurrection.  Before He ascended back to His Father, He then the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Helper. His disciples waited in the Upper Room 9-days before He fulfilled that promise.

We too should wait with patience for the promises Yeshua made to us.  Because He is faithful to do what He has promised.

Blessings,
Dawn

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