Week Six
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 sixth week of counting begins on the 36th day of the Omer, May 8 at sundown. Week six concludes on the regular Sabbath, which begins Friday May 14th, 2021 in the evening and ends at sundown May 15th.
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 six in the Wilderness of Sin which is between Elim and Sinai. Recall that during week five they became hungry and grumbled to Moses and Aaron for something to eat. God showed compassion on them and fed them with the miracle of the Quail for meat and Manna for bread. 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.
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 six in the Wilderness of Sin which is between Elim and Sinai. Recall that during week five they became hungry and grumbled to Moses and Aaron for something to eat. God showed compassion on them and fed them with the miracle of the Quail for meat and Manna for bread. 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 36 The Israelites journeyed from the Wilderness of Sin and camped at Dophkah. [Numbers 33:12]
Day 37 They departed from Dophkah and camped at Alush. [Numbers 33:13]
Day 38 They moved from Alush and camped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink. [Numbers 33:14] The people grumbled and quarreled with Moses. “Give us water to drink!” Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do? The people are almost ready to stone me!” In response the Lord gave Moses instructions for getting water from the rock in Horeb. So he called the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?" [Exodus 17:1-7]
Day 39 The Amalekites attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses chose the fighting men to oppose them in battle. [Exodus 17:8-9]
Day 40 Joshua leads the battle but Moses stands on top of the hill overlooking the conflict - when his hands are lifted up, the battle goes in the favor of the Israelites but when his arms drop, the battle swings in favor of the Amalekites. So they propped up his arms with a stone and Joshua defeated the Amalekites. [Exodus 17:10-15]
Day 42 Moses built an altar there and called it: Yähwè יָהוֶה Nissî נִסִּי – “the Lord is my banner”, because he said, "Indeed, my hand is lifted up toward the Lord's throne." [Exodus 17:15-16, Holman Christian Standard Bible.] Yehovah יָהוֶה Nissî נִסִּי is also rendered as "The Lorde is he that worketh miracles for me" In the Bishop's Bible, Circa 1568.
Historical context in the C.E.
What about the period during the 50 days following Yeshua’s Death and resurrection? In Week Six Yeshua’s talmadim had to deal with His leaving them once again, but they were also given important instructions.
What about the period during the 50 days following Yeshua’s Death and resurrection? In Week Six Yeshua’s talmadim had to deal with His leaving them once again, but they were also given important instructions.
Day 36-39 The eleven disciples went to the Mount of Olives as Yeshua had directed them. (Matt 28:16)
Day 40 Yeshua met with them and gave them the great commission, to go and make disciples among all the nations, i.e., all the gentiles. Then promising He would be with them always, He ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives. (Matt 28:17)
Day 40 Yeshua met with them and gave them the great commission, to go and make disciples among all the nations, i.e., all the gentiles. Then promising He would be with them always, He ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives. (Matt 28:17)
Matthew 28:16-20 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Day 41-42 The Talmadim went to Jerusalem where they remained while they presumably counted the omer, as instructed by Yeshua.
Acts 1:4-14 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Yeshua, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Yeshua, and with His brothers.
Acts 1:4-14 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Yeshua, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Yeshua, and with His brothers.
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 as millions were required to wear masks and many aspects of normal life have been put on hold. Churches were closed for a time, some never to open again and others are only just beginning to open up again. Government policies are becoming ever more repressive as our civil liberties are being curtailed. Religious persecution, support for abortion and subversion of marriage, family and God given gender identity are on the rise. Moral decency is becoming rare in our culture and deceit and wickedness abound. Political divisiveness is more severe than at any time since the Civil War.
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 as millions were required to wear masks and many aspects of normal life have been put on hold. Churches were closed for a time, some never to open again and others are only just beginning to open up again. Government policies are becoming ever more repressive as our civil liberties are being curtailed. Religious persecution, support for abortion and subversion of marriage, family and God given gender identity are on the rise. Moral decency is becoming rare in our culture and deceit and wickedness abound. Political divisiveness is more severe than at any time since the Civil War.
Week Six of the Omer represents Yesod – Foundation - Bonding
According to Jewish Mystical tradition, or Kabbalah, the sixth week of counting the Omer focuses on the Hebrew Concept Yesod– “foundation” or “bonding”. Bonding can also be mean connecting, but on a deeper level; not just empathizing with another, but feeling what they feel and vice versa. When we are bonded to another in this way we, in a sense, become one with them. When this happens we open ourselves to an eternal connection with the divine nature of the almighty and His eternal creation. As this author on Aish.com writes, bonding is a prerequisite to becoming what we were designed to be.
According to Jewish Mystical tradition, or Kabbalah, the sixth week of counting the Omer focuses on the Hebrew Concept Yesod– “foundation” or “bonding”. Bonding can also be mean connecting, but on a deeper level; not just empathizing with another, but feeling what they feel and vice versa. When we are bonded to another in this way we, in a sense, become one with them. When this happens we open ourselves to an eternal connection with the divine nature of the almighty and His eternal creation. As this author on Aish.com writes, bonding is a prerequisite to becoming what we were designed to be.
“Bonding is the foundation of life. The emotional spine of the human psyche. Every person needs bonding to flourish and grow. The bonding between mother and child; between husband and wife; between brothers and sisters; between close friends. Bonding is affirmation; it gives one the sense of belonging; that "I matter", "I am significant and important". It establishes trust ― trust in yourself and trust in others. It instills confidence. Without bonding and nurturing we cannot realize and be ourselves.”[1]
Charge for week six
So let us begin week six of the Sefirat – the count - with the same fervent desire for unity as our Lord who prayed for His Talmadim during His final hours on the Earth.
[1] Omer meditation for Week Six on Aish.com. Source: http://www.aish.com/h/o/t/48969716.html
So let us begin week six of the Sefirat – the count - with the same fervent desire for unity as our Lord who prayed for His Talmadim during His final hours on the Earth.
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them." _ John 17:20-26
[1] Omer meditation for Week Six on Aish.com. Source: http://www.aish.com/h/o/t/48969716.html
Go to Counting the Omer 2021 - Day Thirty-six
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