Rabbi Howard Morrison

On the second night of Pesach, we began to count the Omer. In ancient agricultural times, a sheaf of barley was set aside each day for seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot. This was part of a ritual and prayer that sought a healthy Spring harvest. Pesach was regarded as the Festival of reaping, and Shavuot was regarded as the Festival of the first fruits.

Theologically, Pesach commemorates our physical freedom. Shavuot commemorates our spiritual freedom, denoted by the giving of the Torah. The 49 day counting of the Omer links the two Festivals. One complements the other.

As we all know, Pesach this year is unlike any other. As we are in the first week of counting the seven weeks of the Omer, one of the lessons is that while we count each day, we must also make each day count. As the outside world is smaller, and the inside world larger, let us strive to find meaningful ways with family indoors and others through the internet to be creative and make each day count in a meaningful way.

Moadim L'simcha - Chag Sameach,

Rabbi Howard Morrison