Count for this day in the evening of the date listed 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 history and practice of Counting the Omer here.
day 5: qualities of focus
The first week of the Omer is focused on loving-kindness (chesed).
The fifth day of the week is focused on splendor, wonder, and humility (hod).
This day is focused on noticing what’s wondrous, on what humbles us, and on loving-kindness.
the blessing for counting the Omer
It’s traditional to say a blessing each evening, followed by reciting which day of which week 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.
today is…
Each morning, I’ll post the blessing, and which day of the Omer is being counted next (after sunset that day.)
Here’s today’s count, in Hebrew (transliterated), and English.
Ha-yom chamishah yamim la-omer.
Today is five days of the Omer.
Let me know if this gets confusing, or 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 in Hebrew, 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.
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’chesed: wonder and humility within loving-kindness
A small
polished geode
with blue striations
like deep water
rests in your hand.
It is soothing,
like the pools
of a lover’s eyes.
There is an opening
on its front
a simple gray depression,
but look more closely:
see how it sparkles
inside, an entire
dazzling universe
awaiting your
unfolding presence
Your Unfolding
Presence.
You notice the oneness
of the gray iridescence,
the edge where the rough
inner light meets
the deep color of the
external polished stone.
Imagine kindness
surrounds you,
envelopes you.
Whose face
does it wear?
With what colors
does it appear?
What spark in you
is teased out
by the presence
of this great kindness?
What light in you
is so powerful
it can’t be extinguished
even when kindness withdraws?
Be honest and loving
with yourself here
at the 5th 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
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