By Barrett Holman Leak
SAN DIEGO — My Elder Cousin Waetina (z’’l) gave me a beautiful Tree of Life necklace some years ago. It always draws attention and reminds me of her. Most of all, it keeps me strongly focused on God and my calling of service, especially in the time and space in which we live.
We are in a sacred space and time, I would even say it is a spiritual countdown. Right after we celebrate the flight from Egypt at Pesach/Passover, we start something called Sefirat HaOmer – Counting the Sheafs!
Think of it like this: Passover is our time to celebrate liberation and freedom. But being really free? That takes a longer, a little bit of growing, like a seed turning into a beautiful plant! And how free are we when not all of us are free? When some of us are being murdered and held hostage, how can the remainder of us celebrate?
The root word of “Sefirat” (סְפִירַת) is ס.פ.ר (S.F.R.). This three-letter root is the foundation for many Hebrew words related to counting, telling, writing, and books. You can see this connection in words like:
סֵפֶר (Sefer) – book
סוֹפֵר (Sofer) – scribe, writer, counter
לְסַפֵּר (Lesaper) – to tell, to recount
מִסְפָּר (Mispar) – number
The Hebrew word Omer (עֹמֶר) has a few interconnected meanings:
- A Sheaf of Grain: Most literally, an Omer is a sheaf, specifically a bundle of freshly harvested barley that sprouted after winter. This is the agricultural connection to the Omer period, as it marked the beginning of the barley harvest in ancient times.
- A Unit of Measurement: An Omer was also a unit of dry volume used in biblical times, equivalent to about 2 quarts or 2 liters. It was the amount of barley brought as an offering to the Temple on the second day of Passover. The Torah also mentions that each person in the Israelite camp received an omer of manna daily in the desert.
So, when we talk about Sefirat HaOmer, the very word “Sefirat” carries the meaning of Counting. In the time of the Israelites, after planting the barley, they’d bring a little bundle to the Temple to say in true gratitude “Thank you, God, for the food that is before us!” They would wave the sheaves in all six directions – up, down, and all around. Once that was done, everyone could dig into the new harvest. Sefirat HaOmer counts the days from those simple barley beginnings all the way to when the wheat is ready!
But it is not just about the food! Think of it like this: when we left Egypt, we were like baby birds just out of the nest – excited to be free, but maybe a little wobbly. Sefirat HaOmer is our time to get strong and ready to fly! it is like a spiritual spring cleaning, where we look inside ourselves and think about how we can be the best, most awesome versions of ourselves.
Just like the Israelites who journeyed through the desert to reach Mount Sinai, we’re on a journey too! We left Egypt as folks who weren’t in charge of their own lives, and by the time we reached Sinai, we were ready to receive the Torah and become a truly free and amazing people! Sefirat HaOmer helps us get there. It links the physical act of the harvest with the spiritual journey towards receiving the Torah. It reminds us that being free on the outside is cool, but being free on the inside – knowing who we are as Jews and what’s important, our Jewish values – that’s the real deal!
In reality, the Omer time is kind of bittersweet. it is like, on one side, we’re on this awesome spiritual climb, getting closer and closer to the Torah each day – like a daily summit with HaShem. But then, it is a serious accounting of our relationship with God. It also demands we look outside ourselves: history reminds us that some really traumatic and grievous stuff was done to Jewish people during these spring months.
It was during the springtime, the counting of the Omer, when we experienced the deaths of the amazing Rabbi Akiva and his students. The Talmud (Yevamot 62b) states that Rabbi Akiva had 12,000 students who all died during the period between Passover and Shavuot. Rashi tells us that the reason for this tragedy is that they did not treat each other with respect, and this lack of respect was a failure to appreciate each other’s Torah knowledge or a reluctance to share their own insights.
Many Jews were murdered during the Counting of the Omer period by the Spanish Inquisition and The Crusades. (1096-1192 CE) The horrific last push to the gas chambers for Hungarian Jews happened during this counting time. This is why we observe Yom Hashoah to remember the Holocaust on the 27th of Nisan. Right before celebrating Israel’s birthday (Yom Ha’atzmaut), there’s Yom Hazikaron, a day to remember those who died fighting for Israel’s independence.
Because of all this history, it has become a tradition to keep life low-key during the Omer. Typically, this means no weddings, and usually, no haircuts. But guess what? There’s a little break in the clouds on the 33rd day, called Lag B’Omer! it is like a 24-hour break (where you can even get a haircut) before going back to the quieter mood. So, it is a mix of looking forward spiritually while also remembering the tough times of the past.
The Jewish Wisdom Tradition of Kabbalah
Imagine diving into the deepest, most mystical secrets of the universe and our connection to the Divine. The ancient Jewish wisdom tradition of (Kabbalah/Qabbalah/Cabbala) uses symbolic language, intricate diagrams like the Tree of Life, and profound interpretations of Torah to explore the very essence of God and creation. it is like a spiritual adventure, seeking hidden meanings and pathways to a more profound understanding of ourselves and the cosmos. The Kabbalah says we are made in the image of this Divine light! Our bodies are like little mirrors reflecting these awesome qualities. The Sefirot are like different parts of that Divine light that we can connect with, especially through our own bodies.
It is like a super cool map called the Tree of Life that shows how all these Sefirot connect. For these 49 days, we even focus on how two of these sparkly lights shine together each day and each week. it is like learning a secret code to better understand ourselves and the world,
There are ten Sefirot in total, but some are like the super-duper secret, extra-shimmery ones up high – we call them the Upper Sefirot. They are elevated to the extreme.
There are three of these Sefirot:
- Keter (Crown): Imagine the tippy-top of something amazing, the very first spark of an idea, even before it takes shape! it is like the super-secret source of all goodness!
- Chochma (Wisdom): This is like the first brilliant idea, the amazing blueprint for everything! it is like a flash of genius!
- Binah (Understanding): This is when that brilliant idea starts to make sense, like putting the pieces of a puzzle together! It is how we take wisdom and really get it!
Then, there are seven more Sefirot, the Lower Sefirot, and these are like the building blocks of how we act and feel every day!
- Chesed (Loving-kindness): Think of being expansively tender and giving, like a big, warm hug or a never-ending river of kindness!
- Gevurah (Strength): This is about being strong, setting good boundaries, and knowing when to say “No.” It is rock-hard focus!
- Tiferet (Beauty): Imagine everything in perfect balance and harmony, like a beautiful song or a colorful rainbow. It is the heart of everything!
- Netzach (Endurance): This is about never giving up, having tons of energy, and sticking with things until you win! Like a hyper-determined athlete!
- Hod (Splendor): Think of all the amazing and different ways things can be beautiful and shine! It is like a dazzling display of awesomeness!
- Yesod (Foundation): This is like the strong base that everything else stands on, the way we connect and share all that good energy!
- Malchut / Shechina (Indwelling Presence / Sovereignty): Imagine a queen or king – this Sefira takes all that amazing light from above and shares it with the world! It is the grand finale!
So, for the 49 days of Sefirat HaOmer, we get to count the days and think about these amazing qualities inside ourselves. You could view it as a treasure hunt to discover how you can grow and shine even brighter while you prepare for Shavuot!
Some Suggestions for Counting the Omer:
Count: If you haven’t already, start your count from April 13th this year (it is always from the second night of Pesach/Passover). You can find an online resource (My Jewish Learning) or download an app onto your phone.
Look inward: Dedicate each week to one of the sefirot. Journal for 49 days during the Omer and reflect on these qualities for a few minutes before you begin your day. Even if you haven’t started doing it, you can begin any day. Commit to a daily walking prayer. Meditate
Learn something new: Choose to learn something new. Maybe now is a good time to further investigate Jewish wisdom tradition and learn more about the Sefirot or Tree of Life.
Give tzedakah: Now is never a bad time to start giving to those in need. I keep a tzedakah box on my entrance way shelf so that when I come in the door, I can empty all my coins into it. Make giving a conscious practice
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Barrett Holman Leak is a freelance writer based in San Diego.