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Counting the Omer?

Hebrew scholars and Jewish rabbis who have been practicing Torah for most of their lives have no problem with the time from which the Omer is counted annually. After all it is clearly put in Leviticus 23: 15 & 16 (Jewish Bible {JPS 1917}), in this way: ‘And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the day of rest, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the waving; seven weeks shall there be complete; (16) even unto the morrow after the seventh week shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall present a new meal-offering unto HaShem.’ The word ‘Sabbath’ in Hebrew simply means to ‘rest’ and does not mean the seventh day of the week, even though the weekly Sabbath falls on the seventh day of every week.

So we see that the primary meaning of the word Sabbath is to rest from labor, but it is also the name of the seventh day of the week. Even so, similar to the Sabbath Day, we also have ‘Sabbath years’ in Leviticus 25, meaning a whole year during which the land lies fallow. We see therefore in Deuteronomy 16: 9, YHVH saying through Moses to Israel: “You shall count seven weeks for yourself; you shall begin to count seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain.” The transliterated Hebrew word for weeks is ‘Shavuot’, and the concluding Feast Day of the period is the Feast of Weeks , transliterated as Hag HaShavuot’ not ‘Feast of Sabbaths’!

The question that those who insist to keep the Omer count from the weekly Sabbath between the two High days of Unleavened Bread, is: Why would Elohim inspire the use of the term “Sabbath” in the Masoretic Text in Leviticus 23:15? In the same passage in the Tanach, the Moffat and a number of other translations of the Scriptures the translators slip back and forth between using ‘week’ and Sabbath’ to translate the original Hebrew word in this passage. They are fully aware that the word has several meanings, and therefore picked the most relevant one to fit the situation best, in their particular opinion. Whereas Hebrew scholars and Jewish rabbis have no problem with it, others who have been indoctrinated with the understanding that the word ‘Shabbat’ in the Scriptures always means the seventh-day Sabbath, do not understand that that Jews sometimes refer to the seven annual Feast Days of Elohim as annual Sabbath Days. This is in fact the case in point in most English translations of John 19: 31, where we read about the First Day of Unleavened Bread a high holy (or set-apart) day, as follows: ‘The Jews therefore, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.’

This is obviously talking about the body of our Messiah Yahshua who was impaled in the middle of the week (on Wednesday), as prophesied by Daniel in Daniel 9: 27. This was the Day upon which Yahshua and His disciples kept the Passover, in the evening of the 14th of Aviv or Nisan - the same evening during which He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and also the day upon which he was crucified as the Lamb of Elohim who takes away the sins of the world. The Next day was a Thursday, the First Day of Unleavened Bread, the first annual Sabbath of the year which like a normal weekly Sabbath, also requires a day of preparation, because the people are commanded to attended worship services on the First Day of Unleavened Bread.

Understanding this from the Hebrew perspective, let’s examine the usage of the word ‘Sabbath’ in Leviticus 23: 15 (NASB), as follows: ‘You shall also count for yourselves from (Hebrew ‘im’ meaning inclusive) the day after the Sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete Sabbaths.’ The Tanach states that seven weeks shall be complete: you shall count until the day after the seventh week – fifty days. Seven complete weeks of forty nine days, until the fiftieth day. The weeks must be complete, and no short weeks are allowed. Seven complete weeks would be a total of 7 times 7 or 49 days.

But the question is: why does each individual believer have to count unto Himself the days between the First Annual Sabbath and the Feast of Weeks also known as Pentecost or Shavuot. To begin with, we are commanded to do so by YHVH our Elohim. But there is an underlying reason and deeper level of understanding which YHVH our Elohim wants us to understand by counting the Omer. The counting is to be done by each individual believer, not only the priesthood, from the day after the First Day of Unleavened Bread, symbolizing the nations deliverance from sin and Satan’s rule until Pentecost – symbolizing the Throne of Elohim and complete redemption in the Kingdom of Elohim. This is the period which symbolize the time we are to be working on ourselves, overcoming our animal instinct (as barley harvested at Passover time represents animal feed), to become people filled with Elohim’s Set-apart Spirit at Pentecost (the time during which wheat – human food is harvested).

During this period of forty nine days we are to be working on ourselves, overcoming sin and the pulls of the flesh, and develop the righteous, set-apart character of Elohim, being conformed to the image of Elohim, as we read from Romans 8: 29, as follows: ‘For whom He foreknow, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren.’ Rav Shaul adds to this, saying in Galatians 4: 19, ‘My children with whom I am again in labor until Messiah is formed in you.’ Each week of the seven weeks of seven days, we are to be working on developing one of the seven revealed characteristics or attributes of Elohim, which corresponds to the seven days of the week. These attributes revealed in the Tanach are clearly seen in the following passages:

Isaiah 11: 2, “And the Spirit of YHVH (Keter) will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom (Chochmah) and understanding (Binah), the spirit of counsel (Atzah) and strength (Gevurah), the spirit of knowledge (Da'at) and of the fear (yirah) of YHVH.”;
First Chronicles 29:11, “Thine, O YHVH, is the greatness (Chesed), and the power (Gevurah), and the glory (Tiferet), and the victory (Netzach), and the majesty (Hod), indeed everything that is in the heavens and in the earth; Thine is the dominion (Malkut), O YHVH, and Thou dost exalt Thyself as head over all.”;
Isaiah 28: 16, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation (Yesod) firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.”; and
Second Chronicles 20: 21, “Give thanks to YHVH, for His lovingkindness (mercy - Chesed) is everlasting.”

These attributes list out as follows:

The Spirit of YHVH (called Crown [Keter]).
Wisdom (Chockmah).
Understanding (Binah).
Mercy, loving-kindness (Chesed).
Severity, justice and discipline (Gevurah).
Harmony, compassion (Tiferet).
Endurance (Netzach).
Humility (Hod).
Bonding or foundation (Yesod).
Sovereignty, leadership (Malchut).

However, with the command of counting the 49 days, transliterated in Hebrew as ‘sefirat ha Omer’, the Torah invites us on a journey into the seven basic or lower emotions that make up the spectrum of human experience. At the root of all forms of enslavement, is a distortion of these emotions. Each of the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot is dedicated to examining and refining one of them.

The seven emotional attributes are:

Chesed - Loving-kindness

Gevurah - Justice and discipline

Tiferet - Harmony, compassion

Netzach - Endurance

Hod - Humility

Yesod - Bonding or foundation

Malchut - Sovereignty, leadership

The seven weeks, which represent these emotional attributes, further divide into seven days making up the 49 days of the counting. Since a fully functional emotion is multidimensional, it includes within itself a blend of all seven attributes. Thus, the counting of the first week, which begins on the second night of Pesach, as well as consisting of the actual counting (“Today is day one of the Omer…”) would consist of the following structure with suggested meditations:

On day one of week one, we focus on ‘loving-kindness’, and day one of that week would also be ‘loving-kindness’ – sort of loving-kindness ‘squared’ – the loving-kindness essence of loving-kindness. On day 2, we would work on the ‘discipline’ aspect of loving-kindness and on day three the ‘harmony or beauty’ aspect of loving-kindness. We will continue in this until we finish all seven aspects of all seven major attributes of Elohim’s charater.

Upon conclusion of the 49 days we arrive at the 50th day Shavuot or Pentecost. After we have achieved all we can accomplish through our own initiative, crossing and refining every emotional corner of our psyche, we then receive a gift from above on Pentecost, which in our case we received at immersion providing us the ability to one day if we qualify, become like Yahshua, as we read from 1 John 3: 2 in this way: ‘Beloved, now we are children of Elohim, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as he is.’ We read further from Colossians 3: 1 – 10, ‘If then you have been raised up with Messiah, keep seeking the things above, where Messiah is, seated at the right hand of Elohim. (2) Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. (3) For you have died and your life is hidden with Messiah in Elohim. (4) When Messiah, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. (5) Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. (6) For it is on account of these things that the wrath of Elohim will come, (7) and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. (8) But now you also, put them all aside; anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. (9) Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, (10) and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.’

However, in todays’ exercise we will also consider the three hidden traits of Elohim namely Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding. The total of ten attributes corresponds to the Ten Commandments or the covenant that we entered into with YHVH at our immersion, with each commandment expressing a major truth about the attributes or character traits of Elohim:

Wisdom transliterated as ‘chochmah’ in Hebrew corresponds with the First Commandment – to have no other gods besides the True Elohim. Examine yourself to see how true you have remain to the ONE Elohim since your immersion and do the same for each of the 9 remaining commandments.
Knowledge transliterated ‘Da’at’ in Hebrew corresponds to the Second Commandment – to make no idols or image of worship.
Understanding transliterated as ‘binah’ relates to the Third Commandment – not to take the name of Elohim in vain. The Hebrew word for vain is ‘shavah’, meaning not to use lightly, destroy or bring to naught the name of Elohim, by hiding, refusing to use, and purposely misspelling His name.
The next attribute is loving kindness transliterated as ‘Chesed’ in Hebrew corresponds to Sabbath observance, how we observe the Sabbath day. Is it a day of love and kindness, showing our love for Elohim and fellow believers (or our neighbors) – a day of community, spiritual instruction and hospitality.
The fifth attribute is justice, discipline or strength, transliterated as ‘gevurah’ in Hebrew corresponds to honoring our parents, as Isaac obeyed Abraham, in faith, even as he was about to be sacrificed on the altar at Elohim’s command.
The sixth attribute is beauty, harmony, unity and peace transliterated as ‘tefiret’ in Hebrew corresponds with the command not to murder. Rav Yochanan informs us in 1 John 3: 15, that if we hate someone it is the same as killing him/her, as the spirit of hatred is the spirit of murder.
The seventh attribute endurance is transliterated as ‘Netzach’ in Hebrew and corresponds with the command not to commit adultery. Adultery in Elohim’s eyes is equivalent to idolatry – unfaithfulness. It is diminishing and failure of commitment, a debasing of a set-apart and pure Elohim-plane relationship. We must gain victory over every vestige of sin – such as lust, pornography, and seduction.
The eighth attribute is humility, splendor, and glory transliterated as ‘hod’ in Hebrew and corresponds with the commandment not to steal. Stealing robs one’s character of humility, glory and splendor. We are reminded by Rav Shaul in 1 Corinthians 6: 10, that no thief will enter the Kingdom of Elohim.
The ninth attribute is bonding or foundation, transliterated as ‘yesod’ in Hebrew. At the foundation of our character, we should have the character trait of integrity, honesty, and truth. This attribute corresponds with the command not to bear false witness about a neighbor and is the foundation of truth.
The tenth attribute is sovereignty or leadership, transliterated in Hebrew as ‘Malchut’ corresponds to the command not to covet. As Elohim’s people we must develop leadership qualities of Elohim, so that we can govern under Him in His Eternal Kingdom. However, we are evaluated by what we are doing with the talents given us, and how we utilize the same to serve Elohim’s people at this time. According to Colossians 3: 5 quoted earlier, a fair just ruler, is not covetous, lustful or greedy.

As we strive to attain these character traits of Elohim, we work for six days on each of these traits, fighting against the downward pull of the flesh (or our animal instinct), and rest on the seventh day, allowing Elohim to work in us, and perfecting us. On the seventh day of each count we will accordingly meditate and pray about the ‘Kingdom’ aspects of each trait. It is on the seventh day that Elohim brings all the building blocks of the character traits we are working on together, and completes it in us.

This is part of our lifelong walk in overcoming, of developing Elohim’s character in us. This is perhaps why Rav Kepha wrote in 2 Peter 1: 3 - 10, saying: ‘Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. (4) For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. (5) Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; (6) and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; (7) and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. (8) For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Master Yahshua Messiah. (9) For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. (10) Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble.’’

We see therefore that there is much more to the word ‘Sabbath’ in Leviticus 23: 15 than we can ever imagine. It gives us a deeper level of understanding to the plan Elohim is working out in our lives on earth. Elohim is as Job stated the second part of Job 14: 15, (‘Thou wilt) longing for the work of (Thy) His hands.’ YHVH our Elohim wants to complete the work He has started in us when He created us in His image and likeness. We were made to eventually conform to the visible image of the invisible Elohim, namely Yahshua. Counting the Omer serves like all Elohim’s other commandments a wonderful purpose in the life of every believer; it teaches us the divine lesson to build Elohim’s set-apart character in us.

Far too many of Elohim’s people have goofed off and slouched along, not really understanding the importance of the daily counting of the Omer as a positive step towards building Elohim’s character in us. They start counting diligently, but because of being too busy with making a living they never finish what they started and as a result do not understand our reason for counting the Omer, especially knowing that we will always end up on the 6th of Sivan.

The reason Elohim used the word ‘Sabbath’ in relation to counting the Omer, in Leviticus 23: 15, whereas He used the word Weeks in Deuteronomy 16: 9, is telling us that during this period of 49 days (7 times 7) we are to become perfect as Yahshua told us when He magnified the commandments in Matthew 5: 48, saying: “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” I hope this will help us understand the reason for counting the Omer a great deal better! Halleluyah!