Purpose of counting the Omer – Ask the Rabbi
Q. Pesach and Shavu’ot are linked by the Counting of the Omer. What is the purpose of the counting?
A. Beginning on the second night of Pesach, the mitzvah is to count each day up until the 49th day. The next day is Shavu’ot. Clearly, the purpose must be to link the two festivals. Three explanations are:
1. Learning to count days was part of the process of emancipation after long years of slavery. For slaves every day is the same; only free people can appreciate time and plan for the future. It is a sign of freedom to see a goal ahead and be able to work towards it.
2. Physical freedom (Pesach) needs spiritual direction (Shavu’ot, the giving of the Torah). Liberation needs revelation. Pesach and Shavu’ot need each other.
3. After the Pesach pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the Israelites had to remember to come back for Shavu’ot. Such a short time separates the two occasions that they might be tempted not to make the effort a second time, especially at a busy period of the agricultural year.
