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 practice and history of counting the Omer here.
day 7: qualities of focus
The first week of the Omer is focused on loving-kindness (chesed).
The seventh day of the week is focused on Divine Presence in our lives and in the world around us (malkhut or shekhina.)
This day is focused on Divine Presence within 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.
Here’s today’s count, in Hebrew (transliterated), and English.
Ha-yom shivah yamim la-omer.
Today is seven 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!
malkhut b’chesed: divine presence within loving-kindness
We are making our way,
slowly, from the freedom
of leaving narrow places
to the freedom
that comes with wisdom.
The worlds kabbalistic
worlds, and ours,
are about to fold, one
into the next, not
to disappear,
but to nestle
within each other
be made whole
by their, by our,
connection.
The grandiose sovereignty
of ego gone astray
can loosen the edges
of its power, fold into
the simplicity
of a kind word,
a random act
of loving-kindness,
a moment of forgiveness.
What control
will you relinquish?
What idea
will you unfasten?
What assumption
will you decree annulled
to make space
in your heart
for goodwill to enter
freely and pour out
willingly?
Make this space
in you now
here at the 7th 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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