Beginning on the second day of Passover each year, the following 49 days in the Jewish tradition are known as the Counting of the Omer, or Sefirat HaOmer. The Torah explains how God commanded the Israelites to bring the first measure–or literally, “sheaf” (omer, in Hebrew) – of the early barley harvest to Him as an offering to thank Him for the harvest (Leviticus 23:15-16; Deuteronomy 16:9-12). Traditionally, this sacred time is marked by saying a short prayer each day, stating how many days remain until the fiftieth day: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who sanctifies us by His commandments and commands us to count the Omer. Today is Day 1 (or 2 or 3,…).” The 50th day is celebrated as the Feast of Weeks (or Shavuot), which corresponds with Pentecost for Christians. 

This year, the Counting of the Omer began the evening of Sunday, April 13, and it will continue until Shavuot starts on the 50th day, the evening of Sunday, June 1.

According to Jewish tradition, barley is often regarded as the lesser harvest as opposed to the more superior wheat harvest, which comes later in the year. By extension, the Counting of the Omer is a set-apart time, marking spiritual progression from Passover to Shavuot. Many rabbis believe it was on Shavuot that God gave Israel the precious gift of the Torah; they point out that on Passover, God delivered Israel from slavery, but on Shavuot, He sanctified them by His Holy Word. Therefore, the days in between represent a period of increasing revelation of YHVH, where hearts should be more postured and eyes more focused toward heaven. It is also considered a time of potential inner growth for people to cultivate characteristics, values, or virtues that contribute to becoming a better person (middot in Jewish tradition). 

It was during Sefirat HaOmer in 1948 when the prophesied restoration of the Jewish state (the nation of Israel) began, heralding a new era of history. Similarly, it was during Sefirat HaOmer in 1967 that Israel regained Jerusalem and access to the Temple Mount. 

Israel’s 77th Independence Day, or Yom Ha’Atzmaut, will be celebrated this year on May 1– during Sefirat HaOmer– as always. The day before is Yom HaZikaron, or Israel’s Memorial Day. Honor will be given to all fallen Israeli soldiers, as well as first responders and victims of terror who have lost their lives. Yom HaZikaron’s mourning will give way to Yom Ha’Atzmaut’s celebration of the miraculous existence of the State of Israel. Again, both of these modern holidays take place during the biblically mandated Counting of the Omer.

I have Jewish and non-Jewish friends who will mark this period by counting candy, marbles, or other objects intended to represent the historical omer of barley by placing them into a bowl each night at sundown for the 49 days leading up to Shavuot. You might consider joining in this year. More importantly, we can all seek to grow in revelation and inner character formation during these 50 days, culminating in the celebration of  Shavuot or the miracle of Pentecost.