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Holy Days -
The Omer
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Written by Moshe Kormornick
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When it was 2 weeks till my wedding it really hit me. I couldn't wait - 2 weeks 2 weeks! - and every day after that I would count down to the day.
What was going on? I was so excited about my wedding that it was as if I didn't want those 13 days to exist, I wanted to be under the chupa at that point (even though I didn't have a suit yet!)
So why don't we count down to Shavuos, aren't we excited?
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Holy Days -
The Omer
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Written by Administrator
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We would love to read your vort. Click "Submit your Vort" to send us your vort.
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Holy Days -
The Omer
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Written by Reb Mordechai Rosen
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The 49 days that we count from Pesach to Shavous are given to us to work on our Middos. It is a time of introspection, a time when we ask the Ribbono Shel Olam to help us improve our ways. Chazal tech us "Derech Eretz kadma LaTorah." It is only after this time of improvement that we can receive the Torah.
We cam also see this in the piyut we sing about Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. We say "Lifnei Me Atah Metaher, Me Metaher Eschem". Literally translated this reads, before whom do you become pure, who purifies you? But we can also read it just a little differently. The word Me is spelled Mem Yud and has a gematria of 50. "Lifnei Me", before 50 - Shavous - Atah Metaher, you work on purifying yourself. Then comes Matan Torah, Shavous and "Me Metaher Eschem" - Avichem Shebashamayim" - on the 50th day
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Holy Days -
The Omer
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Written by Ben Rose
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The Jewish people left Egypt on Passover, and 50 days later (on the holiday of Shavuot) received the Torah at Mount Sinai. Today, in revisiting that Sinai experience, we observe a special mitzvah called "Counting the Omer," where we actually count aloud each of these days, beginning on the second night of Passover. (The Omer was a special offering brought to the Holy Temple during this season.)
Counting in anticipation of an exciting event is quite understandable. At one time or another, we've all probably said something like, "Grandma's coming to visit in a week and a half," or "Only 17 more days til my birthday!" But there's one subtle difference: The usual method is to count down toward the big day, whereas in the case of the Omer, we count up -- from one to 50. Why the difference?
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Holy Days -
The Omer
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Written by Ben Rose
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ONE STEP AT A TIME :
A major impediment to growth is the feeling of being overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task. But Judaism is not all-or-nothing. If I cannot have 1,000 gold coins, does that mean I should not strive to have even one?! The biggest reason people fail is that they have set a goal which is too lofty and unattainable. We inevitably fall short and get discouraged. In Jacob's famous dream, God shows him a vision of a ladder reaching toward heaven. Spiritual growth, like climbing a ladder, must be one step at a time. By setting small, incremental goals, we will be encouraged by the periodic success. To make the plan foolproof, make your initial goal something you know you can reach. Tasting success will bolster your confidence and determination, and you can use this energy to strive for higher goals. Remember, the longest journey begins with just one step. And what goes in slow, will remain. The story is told of Rabbi Yisrael Salanter
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