Counting the Omer

We can trace the Omer's roots back to Biblical times when ancient farmers used this period to determine when to make their seasonal offerings to God. Of course, Modern Jews (outside the Land of Israel) don't concern themselves with the ending of the barley harvest and the beginning of the wheat harvest. So why do we still observe this archaic agricultural tradition?

Counting can be boring - there's a reason we count sheep on sleepless nights. But when we attach a bracha (blessing) to something mundane, we witness that time, intentionally setting it apart as "sacred." Counting the Omer has become less about preserving biblical agricultural laws and much more about transmitting our shared Jewish identity and memory across the generations. The Omer's ritual repetition is the thread woven through the rich tapestry that is the Jewish people.

After sunset, recite the following blessing with the correct day of the Omer as indicated by this chart:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּהה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֺתָיו וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹֽמֶר׃

Baruch ata ADONAI Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav, v’tzivanu, al sefirat Ha-Omer

Blessed are you, YHVH our elo'ah, cosmic majesty, who sanctified us with Their mitzvot and commanded us to count the Omer.

You may also choose to conclude your daily counting with Psalm 67.