Right after the first day of Pesach, we enter a seven-week cycle known as S’firas HaOmer (the Counting of the Omer). The 49 days from Pesach to Shavuos really represent a journey of 49 steps to spiritual growth and emotional refinement that help us renew our acceptance of the Torah on an individual level.
On the first night of Pesach, it’s Hashem Who passes over and takes us out of our personal exile – even if only for a few moments. In those precious few hours on the Seder night, we have a greater ability to push aside all the fear, sadness, apathy, jealousy, and anger, and tap into a heaven-sent influx of emunah. In the process, we strengthen our belief that change can happen – that we are not, in fact, alone – that Hashem can (and will) give us the strength, clarity, and resolve to leave our own spiritual and emotional Mitzrayim.
Why?
Because each one of us was brought into this world with an important and unique role to fulfill within it: As David HaMelech says in T’hilim: “He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me… He brought me forth into an open place; He delivered me because He desired me” (T’hilim 18:20). That simple belief alone is the beginning of the y’shuah. But to get there, we have to want to be saved in the first place.
After the first night of Pesach, the work begins. Day by day, step by step, we take all the inspiration of the Seder night and use it to climb up the mountain to Kabalas HaTorah.
This very personal process of growth and refinement is what S’firas HaOmer is all about. Each of the 49 days offers a different angle and a different lesson on the same journey – a journey that is unique to each individual. Every time that we tap into the spiritual influence of the day to make a small step closer to who we could be, we come that much closer to receiving our unique portion of the Torah that the world is waiting for us to reveal.
Material was previously published on www.ShiratMiriam.com.
List of People Who Need a r’fuah sh’leimah (a complete recovery)
Please recite Psalms 20, 30, 88, 121, and 130.
Yonasan Chaim ben Yocheved
Nisan ben Shoshanah
Eliyahu Igor ben Rachel Raya
Hillel ben Orah Brachah
Gavriel ben Frida
Mindel Esther Malkah bas Elka
Sarah bas Miriam
Avigayil bas Chavivah
Malkah Marina bas Miriam Bertha
Esther Hadassah bas Devorah
Mitali Naomi bas Gilah Farcha
Miriam Chayah bas Sarah
Orah bas Devorah Chayah
Adinah Rivkah bas Sharon
To add names of individuals who need a r’fuah sh’leimah to next week’s T’hilim column, please email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and complete the Google form.
