Counting with Purpose

The way that we count the Omer is a template for all of Jewish life.

In Parshat Emor, we’re given the mitzvah to count the days between the beginning of Pesach and Shavuot. And when we do so, there are a number of regulations, two of which are as follows:

The counting must be continuous. The Torah tells us, “Sheva Shavatot Temimot.” We have to have seven complete weeks. You can’t miss out a day here or there. The sequence must always be intact.

And secondly, the Torah tells us that we should count both the days and the weeks, so that the counting procedure is absolutely comprehensive.

So, from here, we learn that in order to count the Omer properly, we need to have both continuity and accuracy.

When I was studying at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh, the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Goldvicht, would explain this through telling a story. He would say: let’s say you’re told that there is hidden treasure in a forest, and you’re given a map. You arrive at the place, and now you have the opportunity to dig down in order to discover the treasure.

Now, we happen to know that the treasure is ten feet down, but you don’t know that at the time. So, you start to dig—five feet, six, seven, eight—and then you give up. Because you are not digging continuously, you won’t get there.

Or, on the other hand, if you do dig ten feet, fifteen, twenty feet, but you’re digging at an angle—it’s not accurate—you also won’t find the treasure.

That’s what happens during the Omer. Through our counting, we count both continuously and accurately. And so too, with all of Jewish life.

The mitzvot are given to us to enhance our lives, to give us meaning and joy.

But if one only performs the odd mitzvah on a one-off basis, that’s not going to pave the way to a life which is fully enriched.

And on the other hand, if one leads a religious existence on a continuous basis, but it’s not performed in the way that it’s intended to, and you’re making exceptions here or there—there too, you might not feel the full, positive, amazing, extraordinary impact of a life of Torah observance.

So, let’s not forget that from the counting of the Omer, we don’t only learn how to uplift ourselves between Pesach and Shavuot. We also learn how to live a full and wonderful Jewish life.

Shabbat Shalom.