Make Each Day Count
A daily guide for the mitzvah of Counting the Omer
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How do we count the Omer?
In Jewish tradition there exists a very orderly and well accepted way of fulfilling the MitzVah of counting the omer. Most prayer books, or Siddurs, follow this formula. After sundown each day one begins by reciting a prescribed blessing followed by the statement as to the number of days of the omer count at that point. This is followed by reading Psalm 67. In some cases a prayer is provided – usually the same prayer for every day of the count – inserting the appropriate number for that day of the count.
How this guide is organized
The guide is basically organized as a daily devotional for the 49 days of the omer count, however there is special attention given to the weekly cycle of counting each Sabbath for seven Sabbaths as commanded in Leviticus 23:15. Therefore at the beginning of each of the seven weeks there is review of the events of that week in the order of the count including on the one hand, the journey taken by the children of Israel as they made their famous Exodus from slavery in Egypt and on the other hand, during the period following Yeshua’s Death and resurrection leading up to Pentecost. Each week has a theme and a historical context in both the time of the first Passover and the time of time of the Death and resurrection of Yeshua. This historical context and the theme related to the seven aspects of godliness, are followed by the recitations and prayer for each of the days of that week. This continues throughout the seven weeks of the count.
In creating this guide for counting the omer, I have followed a typical recipe for reciting the blessing for that day of the omer followed by a reading Psalm 67. Psalm 67 is recited because it is composed of 49 Hebrew words which correspond to the 49 days of the Omer count. After the recitation of Psalm 67, another reading from the Psalms is given. Next a prayer for that day is provided which borrows also from Jewish tradition[1] followed by the suggestion for a meditation that reminds us of the experiences of the Israelites on that day and in some cases those of Yeshua’s talmadim following His death and resurrection during the time leading up to Pentecost. The intent is to draw a connection to your life and what God is trying to do in your spiritual growth with the experiences of those in the historical accounts. After the meditation I have included for each day the unique pairing of the sefirot reviewed on page 8, which according to Jewish tradition, provide the basis for our spiritual growth on that particular day of the omer count. I have also provided for each day suggested scriptural selections for further reading including the special readings for Passover and related selections from the New Testament writings as well as suggested readings from the Torah portion for that week for those who wish to engage in a daily study of the Torah according to the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading - more about that later. Finally, for most days there is a suggested activity for that day that is intended to put into action, the specific spiritual growth suggested in the pairing of the sefirot for that day. During the fifty days you may wish to record your reflections on what you are learning and how you are being changed by this experience. Some will undoubtedly want to follow all the suggested recitations, prayer and meditation as well as the additional suggested reading and journaling. However, others depending on available time and devotion will choose to do only some of these activities.
How to use this guide
There is really no right and wrong way to count the omer. Merely reciting the blessing and the day of the count may be sufficient for some in fulfilling a desire to observe the mitzvah. However, you are encouraged to settle into a routine and a normal set-aside time and depth of participation and study. Although not mandatory, many people find it best to count the omer just after sundown each day. This is the beginning of the day in terms of an Hebraic understanding, but you are free to set the time that is best for you and then seek to keep this same time, or appointment each day. If you skip a day, just resume the count on the current day and date. It is important that you not delay the completion of the 50 days and therefore the arrival of Shavuot.
If possible, allow sufficient time each day to complete the recitation of the blessing, the day of the count, read the selections from the Psalms, pray and meditate on what God is doing or trying to do in your life – 20-30 minutes may be adequate – it will depend on how much time you devote to personal prayer and meditation and further study. You may count the omer individually or together with others in your family or in small groups (keeping good social distancing rules as appropriate during the COVID-19 outbreak.) Immediately following the readings and prayer or later that day, reflect on what you have realized about how God is working in your life or what He may want to change in you. Each day there is a suggested activity for that day. Acknowledging that we cannot get nearer to God or justify ourselves through works or actions of any kind I would remind you that there is no prohibition against doing good. The suggested activity is therefore merely a way of thinking about how to stretch yourself in ways that may help you to grow, positively impact the lives of others and exhibit the qualities of a spirit-filled believer in Yeshua. Also remember to allow extra time at the beginning of each week to read the summary provided for that week. Below is a preview of the seven weeks for each of the historical contexts we have chosen to highlight in this study.
Historical Context Egypt to Mount Sinai
Week 1 Miraculous Deliverance from bondage by Signs and Wonders the people are tested once and then again – each time shown new signs of God’s provision and love. 7th day spent at Elim, an Oasis – the Israelites learn to trust and obey. Week one is just a preview to the 49 days to Sinai.
Week 2 Trust leads to rest and contentment at Elim.
Week 3 Contentment at Elim leads to self-reliance at the Sea of Reeds.
Week 4 Having again lost faith - into the wilderness of Sin to learn trust again.
Week 5 Grumbling about hunger, they learn the Lesson of God’s provision of food (sustenance).
Week 6 Complaining of thirst they learn the lesson of God’s provision of water (life).
Week 7 Reunion of Moses family, establishment of structure of community, Celebration, Joy, anticipation and preparation for the Sinai meeting, followed by the giving of the Torah and covenant promises.
Historical Context Summary of the 50 days of Pentecost
Week One The Disciples go from disbelief and disillusionment to joy and ecstasy after learning of Yeshua’s resurrection and several encounters with the risen Messiah.
Week Two Yeshua appears to His disciples and assures a doubting Thomas.
Weeks Three to Five – Yeshua appears to over 500 and also to His disciples at the Sea of Tiberius.
Week Six Yeshua charges his disciples, promises to send the Holy Spirit and ascends from the Mount of Olives.
Week Seven The disciples wait expectantly in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit.
Day Fifty On Shavuot which is Pentecost, the Holy Spirit Shows up! The first fruits harvest of 3000.
Note about reading from the Psalms
[1] Wording of the daily prayer borrows from and includes paraphrased text from the Kehot Annotated Siddur published by Merkos L'inyonei Chinuch (http://store.kehotonline.com/index.php?stocknumber=EP-STH.AB)
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