Counting of the Omer
Counting of the Omer
The period between Passover and Shavuot is called the “Counting of the Omer” (Sefirat Ha'omer). Omer means "barley sheaf" and refers to the offering brought to the Temple on the second day of Passover. Starting from that day, the Torah also instructs that “you shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete: you must count until the day after the seventh week — 50 days” (Leviticus 23:15-16).
The festival of Shavuot is observed on the 50th day. According to the Bible (Leviticus 22:15), "You shall count for yourselves from the day after the day of rest, from the day brought the Omer of the wave offering; seven complete weeks there shall be, until the day after the seventh week shall you number 50 days..."
The counting, which lasts for 49 days, takes place at night, commencing with the second night of Pesach. Those who "count the Omer" recite a blessing each night of the 50-day period:
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha’olam asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu al sefirat ha’omer.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who sanctifies us with mitzvot, and commands us concerning the counting of the Omer.
Source: The Jewish Home" (Revised Edition) by Daniel B. Syme
Check out Coloring the Omer: A New Contemplative, Mystical Practice by Chris Harrison; reformjudaism.org | March 16, 2021
Sun, June 4 2023
15 Sivan 5783
Upcoming Events
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Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023Slow Torah: Lay-Led Torah Study Class
Sunday, Jun 4th 9:00a to 10:00a
Slow Torah is a lay-led class that continues the Beth Am tradition of studying the Torah verse by verse. -
Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023Facing Our Truths: Conversations on Race – Facilitated by Beth Am Member Emily Nagaonkar
Sunday, Jun 4th 10:00a to 11:30a
Beth Am’s Racial Justice and Equity Initiative will be convening another set of several small groups of 5-10 participants to meet for a series of 6 sessions about how we face our truths about race, privilege, power and the biases that we all hold. -
Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023Beth Am Women Honors Five Remarkable Women at 2023 YES Tea
Sunday, Jun 4th 3:00p to 5:00p
The YES Tea is a biennial BAW event to honor women from the Beth Am community who have made outstanding contributions to Beth Am Women and to our entire congregation in support of youth, education and special projects. -
Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023Discussion Group for Parents/Grandparents of Trans and Gender Expansive Kids
Sunday, Jun 4th 7:00p to 8:00p
We'll gather for facilitated discussion in a supportive environment. -
Tuesday ,
JunJune 6 , 2023Music, Healing and Meditation with Cantor Jaime Shpall
Tuesday, Jun 6th 6:00p to 6:30p
Songs of healing and strength, as well as some brief meditation. -
Thursday ,
JunJune 8 , 2023Thursday Morning Minyan
Thursday, Jun 8th 8:00a to 9:00a
These services are led by members of the congregation — all are welcome. -
Thursday ,
JunJune 8 , 2023Talmud Study
Thursday, Jun 8th 12:00p to 1:00p
Led by Beth Am clergy, in this weekly class we study selections from the Talmud and other rabbinic sources. -
Friday ,
JunJune 9 , 2023Congregant-Facilitated Learning: Beth Am Reading Group
Friday, Jun 9th 1:00p to 2:00p
Join us for explorations of various contemporary Jewish writings. -
Friday ,
JunJune 9 , 2023Pride and Pizza Tot Shabbat: With Jewish Baby Network
Friday, Jun 9th 5:30p to 7:00p
Join Beth Am clergy for a short story and a few songs! A nice way to start your Shabbat. This event is for families with children ages 0-5 years. -
Friday ,
JunJune 9 , 2023Erev Shabbat Summer Outdoor Service
Friday, Jun 9th 6:15p to 7:30p
We're thrilled to welcome the congregation back to Beth Am for Kabbalat Shabbat services in our beautiful Outdoor Chapel.