On the second night of Pesach we begin the counting of the Omer, called Sefirat HaOmer. Every night, for the next forty nine nights, we perform the mitzvah of counting the Omer. On the fiftieth night we celebrate the holiday of the Giving of the Torah - the holiday of Shavuot. The days between Pesach and Shavuot are called Days of Sefirah - Days of Counting. This mitzvah is mentioned in last weeks Parsha, Emor. The Torah says, And you shall count unto you from the second day Pesach... seven weeks complete they shall be. The forty nine days of the Omer connect the holiday of Pesach - the Exodus from Egypt; and Shavuot - when we received the Torah at Mount Sinai. In what way are the holidays of Pesach and Shavuot conected? The Torah tells us that the purpose of the Exodus on Pesach was in order to serve G-d through observing the Torah and Mitzvot which G-d gave us at Mount Sinai on Shavuot. What is the significance of the mitzvah of counting the Omer and its lesson for us? When Jews left Egypt, they were so anxious to receive the Torah that they counted the days to when they will receive the Torah. This teaches us that true freedom comes with purpose and responsibility. For a Jew that purpose is to serve G-d by following G-ds laws which He gave us in the Torah. One who has no direction and purpose in life is not a free person. Thus, the culmination of the Exodus on Pesach was on Shavuot, when we received the Torah. Every holiday mentioned in the Torah has a specific date. Pesach is on the fifteenth of the first month (Nissan); Rosh Hashana on the first of the seventh month (Tishrei), etc. Yet, Shavuot is the only holiday for which the Torah does not give a specific day in a specific month. It is described only as on the 50th day, when we complete the counting of the Omer. Why is there no specific date for Shavuot? The Torah wants to emphasize the connection between the liberation from Egypt and the Torah. As mentioned before, Shavuot is the culmination of the Exodus. Shavuot completes the holiday of Pesach. Sefirah also means to illuminate. The mitzvah of Sefirat HaOmer - counting the Omer each day, as preparation to Shavuot, teaches us that the purpose of the Torah is to illuminate each day of our lives. One cannot be content with the achievements of yesterday, but should add more light each day, through the performance of good deeds daily. Moshiach NOW!!!
Posted on: Tue, 06 May 2014 05:01:51 +0000
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