Chapter I

וספרתם לכם ממחרת השבת מיום הביאכם את
עומר התנופה שבע שבתות תמימות תהיינה

"You shall count for yourselves from the day following the day of rest [lit. Shabbos], from the day on which you bring the Omer as a wave-offering; [the counting] shall be for seven full weeks."1

We must understand the meaning of the term "for yourselves."

We find that the same term is used in conjunction with the mitzvah of esrog and lulav, where the verse states:2 "And you shall take for yourselves." The meaning there is that we should take [the esrog and lulav] from that which belongs to us, and not from that which was stolen.3

Concerning the Yom Tov of Shemini Atzeres, too, we find written:4 "The eighth day shall be a day of convocation for you." Here the verse is telling us5 that the holiday and the sacrificial offerings of Shemini Atzeres pertain only to the Jewish people. During the first seven days of Sukkos, sacrificial offerings were brought on behalf of all mankind. On Shemini Atzeres, however, the offerings were specifically for the Jewish people.6 The Midrash offers the following parable:7 "A king made a feast to which he invited all his subjects. The feast lasted seven days. At the conclusion of the seven-day period he said to his best friend: 'Now that we have fulfilled our obligation to all our subjects, you and I shall celebrate together.' This then is the meaning of the term "for you" as it applies to Shemini Atzeres: Shemini Atzeres is solely for the Jews.

But what is meant by the term "for yourselves" regarding the counting of the Omer? How can the mitzvah of counting the Omer possibly be performed in a manner that is not "for yourselves"?

With regard to the mitzvah of lulav and esrog, the Torah must remind us that the plants must belong to the individual. Concerning Shemini Atzeres too, the term "for you" teaches that the sacrificial offerings of that day are different than those of the previous days. Since there is a possibility that these mitzvos can be performed in a manner that is not "for yourselves," and thus not in accordance with G-d's desire, it is necessary for the Torah to state "for yourselves." However, regarding the mitzvah of counting the Omer, inasmuch as it is impossible to perform the mitzvah at all without it being "for yourselves" (for to observe this mitzvah it is necessary to count the days), what does the Torah mean by the term "for yourselves"?

Clearly then, just as the term "for yourselves" with regard to esrog, lulav and Shemini Atzeres clarifies the manner of performance, here too, the term "for yourselves" indicates the proper manner of performance. The Gemara8 interprets the term to mean that the count must be "to each and every individual," i.e., every Jew must personally count. In this regard, the mitzvah of counting the Omer differs from that of counting the years of Shemitah and Yovel, (the Sabbatical and Jubilee years).9 There the verse states:10 You [in the singular] shall count seven Shabbosos of seven years." Therefore, it was incumbent upon the court to count these years.11 However, with regard to the counting of the Omer, each individual Jew is commanded to count.

We must also understand the meaning of the words, "From the day following the Shabbos." What connection does Shabbos have to counting the Omer? Indeed, the term Shabbos as used here actually refers to Yom Tov ,12 which is similar to Shabbos in that they both are days of rest. We must also understand why it is that regarding the Omer offering, the term "waving" is used. So germane is "waving" that the Omer itself is deemed a "wave-offering." Also, what is the meaning of "seven full weeks"? Surely, when seven weeks are counted, they are "full." Why does the Torah have to state explicitly that the weeks must be "full"?

In summary: Regarding the mitzvah of esrog and lulav, the phrase "for yourselves" means "from that which belongs to you." The term is also explained as it applies to Shemini Atzeres and its accompanying offerings. But regarding the counting of the Omer, how it is possible to count without it being "for yourselves," and what is the relationship between Shabbos and the counting? What is meant by calling the Omer a "wave-offering"? And finally, what is the meaning of "they should be full" regarding the seven weeks?