Saturday, May 15, 2021

Counting the Omer 2021 - Week Seven

Week Seven


In 2021 following the Aristocratic Majority view on when to start counting, we began Counting the Omer on Nisan 22, the day of Resheit or Firstfruits and also Resurrection Sunday (Easter.) On the Gregorian Calendar this was April 4th, 2021. Accordingly the seventh and last week of counting begins on the 43rd day of the Omer, May 15 at sundown. Week five concludes on the 49th day of the counting of the omer, a regular Sabbath, which begins Friday May 21st, 2021 in the evening and ends at sundown May 22nd. The next day is the 50th day - Shavuot! 

Why are others already celebrating Shavuot on Monday May 17 while we have a week left in our count?

Many are wondering why we are counting day 43, being 6 weeks and 1 day of the omer, while most of the Jewish world and even some Messianic congregations are observing Shavuot already. I have tried to explain this at numerous points in this blog but it seems that is is appropriate to revisit this once again since there is an obvious disconnect between those who are following this guide and counting the days according to the Aristocratic Majority view as we are doing here. This, by the way, is the view preferred by many in the Messianic Community and is also preferred by Karaite Jews. Let me explain...

The method employed in this guide does not agree with most established Jewish authorities who follow the Hassidic Majority view, and in the majority of years these views result in a different starting date for the omer count. However, in the years 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, because Passover fell on the sixth day of the week – i.e., on a Friday, the same starting date for counting resulted for both camps, and therefore we were all counting the days of the Omer on the same dates and celebrated Shavuot (Pentecost) on the same date as well. During the last 50 years this unity of counting dates has only happened eleven times. The last time it happened in back to back years prior to 2015 was in 1991 and 1992 and before that, 1964 and 1965. I do not wish to be dogmatic about this, but after careful study, I have come to agree with the Karaite position and given the fact that there are differing views, one must make ultimately make a choice. Nevertheless, it is correct and at the same time, sad to say that in the majority of years many are counting the omer on the wrong dates as far as the sovereign of the universe is concerned. Unfortunately in 2021 as was the case last year in 2020, we are not counting the omer according to the same calendar dates. In fact we are lagging six days, nearly a full week later than the predominant view – the Hassidic Majority View. But don't lose your dedication because of this difference. If you are a believer in Yeshua the Messiah, there are many reasons to hold to the dates presented here, the most important being, that we know according to all of the gospel accounts that Yeshua rose early in the morning on the first day of the week, i.e. Sunday and therefore it is more appropriate that the festival of Resheit, Firstfruits - the day we begin counting, fall on a Sunday, which is always the case when we follow the Aristocratic Majority view.  And in the vast majority of years, this day is also the day observed in the Catholic and Protestant Church as Resurrection Sunday, the day commonly called Easter. Furthermore in the Catholic and Protestant church  Pentecost Sunday is always observed 50 days after Easter when you begin counting on Easter. So by following the Aristocratic Majority view, we will always arrive at Shavuot on the same day that Pentecost is celebrated by the mainstream Christian Church. 

If you would like more details about the different views for determining when to start counting the Omer explain more fully in my post titled: "When do we start to count the Omer? What are the different views?"  

Historical context – B.C.E.

As we continue to follow the journey of the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt to freedom and the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, we find them at the beginning of week seven at Rephidim which is also called Massah (test) and Meribah (quarrel). Recall that during week six they became thirsty and quarreled with Moses and they tested the Lord, saying, "Is the Lord among us, or not?" Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. [Exodus 17:7-8] God showed compassion on them and instructed Moses to get water from the rock at Horeb. He taught them that they could trust in Him to provide all they needed. Nevertheless in Week six, when they were thirsty, they grumbled and complained again. 

Day 43 They departed from Rephidim and camped in the Wilderness of Sinai [Numbers 33:15] and there they camped in front of the mountain. [Exodus 19:2]

Day 44 Now Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, along with his wife Zipporah and their sons Gershom and Eliezer rejoined the multitude where he was camped near the mountain of God. Moses greets them and recounts to Jethro all the great things that God has done for His people Israel and they hold a great celebration rejoicing over this family reunion, and sacrificing to God. It is at this point that Jethro proclaims a new understanding of Yähwè as preeminent above all other gods. [Exodus 18:1-12]

Day 45 Moses is judging the problems of the people from sunrise to sunset and Jethro gives him advice of wisdom to help him rule the people more effectively. Jethro counsels Moses to instruct the people about the statutes and laws by which they shall live and to create a judicial system consisting of appointed judges and officials who are able, God-fearing, trustworthy and honest. Moses heeded his counsel and Jethro at some point returned to Midian. [Exodus 18:13-27]

Day 46  Moses went up the mountain to the Lord and the Lord commanded Moses to tell the people “if you will obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." Moses summoned the elders and told them what the Lord had commanded him and all the people responded together "All that the Lord has spoken we will do." So Moses went back to the mountain to tell the Lord that the people had promised to obey all his commands. [Exodus 19:3-8]

Day 47 The Lord told Moses that the people were to consecrate themselves, wash their clothes and to refrain from sexual relations for three days and that on the third day the Lord would come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. The people were not to go up on the mountain or touch its base on pain of death until they heard a long trumpet blast, then they were to come near the mountain. [Exodus 19:9-19]

Day 48 Moses sanctified the people and they washed their clothes. Husbands and wives refrained from sexual relations and waited for the third day (day 50 of the counting of the omer). [Exodus 19:13-27]

Day 49 The people continued to prepare themselves for the next day when they were to go up to the Lord on Mount Sinai. It was the seventh Sabbath after their deliverance from Egypt – a day of rest but also one of great expectation – the day God was going to speak directly to them.

Historical context in the C.E.

Day 43-49  The disciples remain in Jerusalem as Yeshua had instructed. No doubt, as all other faithful Jews were doing, they counted the omer. Do you think they knew that something amazing was about to happen on Shavuot – Pentecost.

Present context in 2021 C.E.

The world is experiencing what appear to be the birth pangs prophesied as a sign of Messiah's return. (Isa 26:17-18; Matt 24:8; 1Thess 5:3; Rev 12:1-2) A worldwide pandemic swept over the earth in 2020 causing many reported deaths and economic decline. Unemployment continues to threaten the U.S. and world economies. Churches are closed and not allowed to meet in many places. Government policies are becoming ever more repressive as our civil liberties are being erased. Religious persecution, aggressive promotion of abortion and subversion of marriage, family and God given gender identity are on the rise. Moral decadence is becoming the norm in our culture while deceit and wickedness abound. Political divisiveness is more severe than at any time since the Civil War. Our national borders have become more porous as drugs, human trafficking and terrorist threats are pouring unchecked into the U.S. Hunger, pestilence, war, natural catastrophes, global world government and a one-world religion loom as we enter the final week leading up to Shavuot this year. But, Shavuot represents the great harvest to come and much, much more. 

Week Seven of the Omer represents Malchut –  Kingship

According to Jewish Mystical tradition, or Kabbalah, the Seventh and final week of counting the Omer focuses on the Hebrew Concept Malchut – “kingship” or “nobility”  
Malchut relates to nobility, sovereignty and leadership. Nobility is an expression of human dignity; sovereignty, a state of being in authority; and leadership are the abilities or attributes one uses to actively connect with and direct the emotional energy of a group of followers. In its fullest sense, Malchut is therefore the combination of residing in the certainty of authority and the knowledge that one can make a difference, actively exercising that authority for the benefit of others and artfully and fearlessly directing our own path and the paths of others toward our highest human potential. 

Charge for week seven

So let us begin week seven with confidence in our authority and our mandate to bring God's kingdom into being in the world and in our own hearts. Let us recognize that our missions are unique and of infinite significance, but let us also recognize that we are still only one individual in Gods infinite eternal creation and that we must work in cooperation with all God’s children to bring in a great harvest of souls as we enter the Millennial Kingdom under the kingship of Messiah Yeshua.  Amen!



Go to Counting the Omer 2021- Day Forty-three
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