The Omer

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Counting the Omer, or Eating the Omer
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ב | |
While the Hebrew word ‘omer’ is usually associated with something that is ‘counted’, we will trace the few instances when the word ‘omer’ appears in the Bible to show how it consistently refers to a special measure of grain. In light of our discussion, we will uncover the deeper thematic connection between ‘counting the Omer’ and our commemoration of the events at Mt. Sinai.
The Omer, the Counting of the Omer, and the Festival of Shavuot
Rabbi Yehuda Rock
What is the significance of Sefirat Haomer - counting the omer? Does the counting only have historical significance, commemorating the weeks between the Exodus and the Giving of the Torah, or is there agricultural significance as well? Why is a public peace offering (shelamim) only brought on Shavuot, and what is the connection between Shavuot and the eighth day of the Miluim? And what is the significance of waving the Omer?
The Problem of Macharat HaShabbat
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 36 minutes
What does the term Macharat HaShabbat mean? Many classical commentaries deal with this famous question, which holds practical implications for the counting of the omer and the holiday of Shavuot. By comparing the korban haomer with the episode of the manna in the desert, we can learn about Shabbat and our constant dependency on God.
An Epic View of Jewish Holidays
Parashat Emor
Rabbi David Fohrman |
Parashat Emor outlines the holidays, with two major interruptions: the laws of the omer offering, and the agricultural laws of pe'ah and leket. Why do these two pieces invade the laws of holidays, and what does that teach us about the epic Biblical approach to holidays? Want to see more videos like this? Check out https://www.alephbeta.org/
Shavuot
Rabbi Ezra Bick | 14 minutes
According to our tradition, the Torah was given on the 6th of Sivan, the day on which we observe the holiday of Shavuot, but only received by Am Yisrael on the 7th of Sivan. By celebrating Shavuot on the day of the giving of the Torah rather than on the day of its reception (which we essentially celebrate every day when we learn Torah) we reconnect our Torah with the voice of God.
The Shmita Year and its Connection to Shavuot and Har Sinai
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ד | |
What is the first real Shabbat of the Jewish people? And how does it connect to the Omer, to the brit at Har Sinai, to Shavuot, and to the Shemitta cycle? We begin by examining the meaning of “omer” by looking at the texts in which the word appears. After placing the test of the “manna” into the timeframe of Bnei Yisrael’s journey from Egypt to Har Sinai, what emerges is a crucial tool for the nation’s development and relationship with God, which is later symbolized and commemorated in rituals which are now ever more meaningful-- especially now that we understand more about the agriculture of the Land of Israel.
Rav Medan: Sefirat HaOmer, Matan Torah, and the Yovel Year
Rabbi David Silverberg
The Counting of the 'Omer'
Dr. Zvi Shimon
The period between the beginning of Passover and 'Shavuot' (Pentecost) is a period of counting. Every evening, Jews count the days and weeks that have passed since the first day of Passover. This counting is called the 'Sefirat HaOmer' - the counting of the 'omer.'

Before analyzing the nature of this connection between Passover and Shavuot and the significance of the counting of the omer, we will first probe some of the laws relating to the counting of the omer and their textual sources.

Why do we count forty-nine days between the offering of the omer and the bread offering? The commentators offer different explanations.
The Agricultural and Historical Significance of Sefirat HaOmer
Rabbi Yaakov Medan

The Festival of Freedom, which commemorates the unique historical event of the Exodus, must coincide with the start of the annual agricultural season - the harvest. What is the connection between the two?

It is somewhat puzzling that while the Torah speaks directly of both aspects of Pesach - agricultural and historical - it focuses solely on the agricultural significance of Sefirat Ha-Omer and Shavuot. In fact, it is the Sages who calculate that Matan Torah took place on the selfsame day that we are commanded to offer the shtei ha- lechem. Why does the Torah not mention the historical significance of the day at all?

While it is true that there is no direct mention of Shavuot as the commemoration of the revelation at Sinai, the connection is very strongly hinted at in the verses by the use of Sefirat Ha-Omer as the link between Pesach and Shavuot, as will be explained.

Translated by Zev Jacobson
Meaning of the Omer, Counting, and Shavuot
Rabbi Yehuda Rock
תאריך פרסום: 5777 | | Hour and 5 minutes
Was Shavuot the same time as Matan Torah? It is supposed to be the 50th day- after the first day of Pesach. Shavuot did not always take place on a fixed date – when calendar wasn’t fixed, the day could vary, just as the number of days in the preceding months could vary. In the Torah, Shavuot is always described in agricultural terms - the only regel (pilgrimage holiday) not to be explicitly linked with a historical commemoration. Did Hazal (the Rabbinic Sages) simply decide to link Shavuot with the Giving of the Torah, or are there strong hints within the Torah as well? If so, why are they not explicitly linked? What can we understand - and what are we meant to appreciate about Shavuot from the way the Torah describes the commandments surrounding Shavuot?
Parshat Beshalach Part 6: What's So Evil About Amalek?
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | 30 minutes
This podcast concludes Parshat Beshalach with the eternal law to remember Amalek and a discussion about what makes them so evil. We also discuss the significant parallels between the laws of Shmitta in the Land of Israel and the manna in the desert, leading up to the covenant at Sinai.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com