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
Sat, June 25 2022
26 Sivan 5782
Upcoming Events
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Saturday ,
JunJune 25 , 2022Torah Study (In Person, Streaming or Zoom)
Shabbat, Jun 25th 9:00a to 10:00a
On Shabbat morning, join a member of the Beth Am clergy for a session of Torah study. Stay for the Good Book Cafe! Proof of vaccination and masks are required at Beth Am. -
Saturday ,
JunJune 25 , 2022Good Book Cafe
Shabbat, Jun 25th 10:00a to 10:20a
Join other Torah Study participants for some discussion and schmoozing. -
Saturday ,
JunJune 25 , 2022Torah Minyan Shabbat Morning Service
Shabbat, Jun 25th 10:30a to 11:30a
Join Beth Am clergy and/or lay leaders for a musical Shabbat morning worship service focused on learning and spiritual growth. -
Saturday ,
JunJune 25 , 2022Shabbat Morning Service: B'not Mitzvah Jacobson & Jacobson
Shabbat, Jun 25th 10:30a to 12:30p
All are welcome and encouraged to join the family of our B'not Mitzvah in worship and celebration. -
Sunday ,
JunJune 26 , 2022Slow Torah: Lay-Led Torah Study Class
Sunday, Jun 26th 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 26 , 2022Facing Our Truths – Emily's Group
Sunday, Jun 26th 10:00a to 12:00p
Beth Am’s Racial Justice and Equity Initiative will be convening 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. -
Monday ,
JunJune 27 , 2022Community Services Agency (CSA) Pantry Help
Monday, Jun 27th 9:00a to 12:00p
Help out our neighbors at the Community Services Agency in Mountain View. -
Tuesday ,
JunJune 28 , 2022Facing Our Truths – Diane's Group
Tuesday, Jun 28th 2:00p to 4:00p
Beth Am’s Racial Justice and Equity Initiative will be convening 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. -
Tuesday ,
JunJune 28 , 2022Jewish Artists and the Feminist Art Movement
Tuesday, Jun 28th 6:00p to 7:15p
This series will focus on Jewish American women artists of the 1960s and 1970s, the Feminist Art Movement, and the role that Judaism played in many of these artists' lives. -
Tuesday ,
JunJune 28 , 2022Music, Healing and Meditation with Gabriel Lehrman
Tuesday, Jun 28th 6:30p to 7:15p
Songs of healing and strength, as well as some brief meditation.