Count for this day in the evening of the date shown above.
Counting the Omer began the second night of Passover, which was on April 9, 2020. The last day of counting is May 27, 2020.
You can learn more about the practice and history of counting the Omer here.
day 33 of the Omer: qualities of focus
The fifth week of the Omer is focused on Splendor and Humility (Hod). The quality of Hod is sometimes talked about as the kind of splendor that is so awe-filling that we can’t help but be humbled. But this sense of awe can also be nurtured as we look in our world and in our lives for what is splendorous, big or small, and allow ourselves to be humbled into gratitude.
The fifth day of the week is also focused on Splendor and Humility (Hod).
The thirty-third day is focused on noticing, and nurturing, Splendor, and allowing ourselves to be humbled by it. And it may be an especially good time for noticing, nurturing, and being humbled by our intimate relationship with the Divine.
It’s also LaG b’Omer, a minor Jewish holiday on which some practitioners of the Omer, who have foregone particular things such as cutting their hair (can you relate right now?), or getting married, have that prohibition lifted. Check this out to learn more about LaG b’Omer. And here are some other interesting writings and comments from RitualWell.org.
the blessing for counting the Omer
It’s traditional to say a blessing each evening, followed by reciting which day it is in the Omer journey. Here’s the blessing in English, feminized Hebrew, and the traditional masculine Hebrew. Use whichever Hebrew and/or English versions work for you!
English version of the blessing
Blessed are you, Eternal One-ness, Source and Breath of All Life, that has made us holy with your mitzvot, and compels us to count the Omer.
If you prefer feminine God language in Hebrew:
בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ יָהּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בִּמְצַוְּתָהּ וְצִוָּנוּ עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹמֶר
B’rukhah at Yah Eloheynu khay ha’olamim asher kideshatnu bemitzvoteha vetzivatnu al sefirat ha’omer.
If you prefer masculine God language, or just like the traditional way of saying the blessing:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹמֶר
Baruch ata adonai, eloheynu melech ha-olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu al sefirat ha-omer.
here’s today’s count, in Hebrew (transliterated), and English.
Ha-yom shloshah u-shloshim yom, shehem arba-ahah shavuot v’chamishah yamim la-omer.
Today is thirty-three days, which marks four weeks and five days of the Omer.
Let me know if you have any questions. I’ve never done this before via blog post, and need your help to make sure everything works.
prefer Hebrew script?
If you prefer to read the blessing and count using Hebrew text, check out this app.
Or look in your favorite siddur (prayer book). It can often be found at the end of the evening service.
today’s poetic meditation
I’m posting a poetic meditation for each day to enhance the journey. Each meditation is focused on the kabbalistic qualities (sefirot) associated with the day.
The kabbalists often used the image of gates to describe the portals of consciousness represented by the sefirot, and that’s reflected in the ending to each of the meditations.
The kabbalists also often referenced the Tree of Life, upon which the sefirot are represented by the trunk and branches.
Some people like to read the meditations when they say the blessing at night. Others like to contemplate them in the morning to provide spiritual nourishment for the day’s activities.
Experiment, and see what works for you!
Hod b’Hod: an intimate relationship with Splendor
How ya doing You Splendorous One who knocks me off my feet? I hold you in two hands and think how can this be, with you so vast, and my hands so small? Today I find myself wanting to take care of you, then longing to be enfolded by you. You wrap around me like Jacob’s coat, then turn inside out and decorate my insides, with a broad palette of possibilities. What could be more amazing than that? Hod within Hod, the 33rd gate.
Copyright Shifrah Tobacman, 2012.
prefer to hold a book in your hand?
You might be interested in Rabbi Shifrah’s collection Omer/Teshuvah: 49 Poetic Meditations for Counting the Omer or Turning Toward a New Year. Write to rabbishifrah@gmail.com to get a copy!
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