May 17, 2024 / 9 Iyyar 5784
Let us count the days! We’ve arrived at the halfway point of Sefirat ha’Omer – the counting of the days between Passover and Shavuot. What is this counting and numbering of days all about? Why do it? And what does it signify?
Hasidic master R Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Ger (1847-1905), known as the Sefat Emet, offers some intriguing answers.
In 1882 R Alter taught this: After the Exodus from Egypt we emerged from the ‘other side’ as newborns, in need of purification. God prepared these days for us a gift, a way for us to work toward purity. The whole year depends on these days; as the blossoming of plants, flowers and trees takes place during these days, so too the vital life-force of humanity is revealed now. All of it is a hint of inner growth.
Two years later he added this wrinkle: The essence of the mitzvah of the ‘Omer is to offer one’s first fruits to God, that is to find deep connection (deveikut) to one’s root-source and to God. Just as plants and trees strengthen and re-establish their roots at this season, we too need to deepen our connection to God.
We count in order to re-connect to ourselves and to God. We count in an effort to reveal (to ourselves and to others) our essential life-force. We count in order to re-establish our roots at this season of new and renewed growth. We count in search of purification, refinement, and inner growth. And as of today, we’re halfway there! Happy counting and Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi David
