Daily Omer Thoughts – Week One

Join HIS-ISRAEL as we count the Omer – the significant days between PESACH (Passover)and SHAVUOT (Pentecost).

They will be shared in weekly installments.

Psalm 119 traditionally is read at this time. The psalm is divided in groups of 8 verses, each group beginning with the consecutive letters of the Hebrew Alphabet (alphabet). So, let’s begin our daily counting based on Psalm 119, and you can enjoy the Hebrew letters at the same time.

BLESSING to be said before the counting each day.

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu, melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu be’mitzvotav ve’tzivanu al Sefirat ha’Omer. Ha’yom, yom echad [sheni, shlishi…] ba’Omer.

Blessed are you, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us through Your commandments, and has commanded us to count the Omer.

Today is Day [one, two, three.etc.] of the Omer.

Today is Day 1 of the Omer – Aleph א (Psalm 119:1-8) 

“Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.  …The vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance”  (Song of Songs 2:10-13).

“Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance. It is taking hold of God’s willingness. Our prayer should engage God as a lover would engage his beloved.” – Phillips Brooks.

Perhaps our prayers are not answered because they don’t have enough charm, enough grace.”

– Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav.

Today is Day 2 of the Omer – Bet  ב (Psalm 119:8 – 16) 

“Distance yourself from a false word” (Ex. 23:7).  Rabbi Akiva said: “Mockery and levity accustom a man to immorality” (Avot 3:17). 

Today is Day 3 of the Omer – Gimel  ג – Psalm 119:17-24 

“G’mol” – Deal bountifully with Thy servant, that I may live and keep Thy Word. Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things in Thy Torah.

Today is Day 4 of the Omer – Dalet ד – Psalm 119:25-32 

“Davka” – My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Thy Word. 

…Make me understand the way of Thy precepts, so I will meditate on Thy wonders.

Today is Day 5 of the Omer – Hey ה – Psalm 119:33-40 

“Horeini” – “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes, And I shall observe it to the end…Revive me through Thy righteousness.”  May we persevere, in faith, hope and strength ‘to the end’!

Today is Day 6 of the Omer –  Vav  ו – Psalm119:41-48 

“Ve’yavoni” – “May Thy lovingkindness also come to me, O Lord, Thy salvation according to Thy Word.”

Today is Day 7 of the Omer – Zayin ז  – Psalm 119:49-56 

“Zechor” – “Remember the word to Thy servant, in which Thou hast made me hope.”