Omer Videos

The mitzvah of counting the Omer is to count the days from Passover until Shavuos, when the Omer offering was brought in the Temple. Each day has a purpose. Whether it leads up to the Omer offering or it is an ordinary day of life, we must look at the clock, and ask ourselves, “Am I using my time properly, to fulfill my mission in this world?”

An hour-long excerpt from a 1982 satellite broadcast of the Rebbe’s pre-Passover gathering on the occasion of his 80th birthday (11 Nissan, 5742).

A fun and informative peek into how and why we count the Omer between Pesach and Shavuot. In the 49-day period of the Omer, each day is another refinement of a particular emotional virtue represented in Kabbalah by the lower seven Sefirot. Each virtue is a sublimation of a corresponding vice.

We are commanded in the Torah to count, from the 2nd day of Passover, 49 days and ‘7 complete weeks’. This mitzvah is referred to as the Counting of the Omer. Our Sages comment that the count is only perfect when Passover begins on the Sabbath, and thus the count begins with the first day of the week – Sunday. In such a year (as is the case this year) the 7 weeks are indeed perfect. But this is highly puzzling for a number of reasons, one being that the mitzvah to Count the Omer is perfectly fulfilled every year regardless of what day of the week the count begins! In answering this difficulty, this class reveals the extraordinary blessing inherent in this year’s counting of the Omer.

The sages declare that when the first day of the seven-week Omer countdown begins on a Sunday, then the count is perfect and complete. But surely the 49-day count is perfect regardless of which day in the week it starts? In answering this question, this class addresses two kinds of relationships, and where perfection really begins.

A deeper look at the counting of the Omer, and the distinctive laws governing the Omer offering and the Shavuot offering. (Based on Likkutei Sichos, vol. 32, p. 134.)

The commandment to count the Omer comes from the verse: "You shall count for yourselves, from the morrow of the Sabbath from the day you bring the Omer as a wave offering seven weeks; they shall be complete" (Leviticus 23:15). The term "Sabbath" in this context refers to the first day of the holiday of Passover and not the weekly Sabbath. However, in some years, when Passover begins on Sabbath, the weeks of the Omer do coincide with the seven-day week. Is there an aspect of extra "completeness" that occurs in such years? (Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 12 p. 16 and vol. 22 p. 143)

Learn the special significance of counting the Omer on five layers of understanding.

This class provides a fresh and profoundly new understanding of the mitzvah of Sefirat Ha’Omer or “Counting the Omer”, which is found in Parshat Emor. You’ll discover how the three, and seemingly very different narratives attached to this observance and time of the year are actually woven from the same common threads. This incredible exposition about one of the best-known, yet possibly least understood Torah precepts, sews together a remarkable range of explanations from our Sages in an inspiring fashion!

This presentation pioneers a novel approach to understanding the underlying principles of the biblical commandment to “Count the Omer.” Following the initial point of departure; demonstrating the need to frame the “counting” as a continuation and natural extension of the original Omer Offering itself – the thesis moves to develop a new look at “Sefirah Secrets” by examining the “Wave” ritual that seems to occupy a position of oversized importance.

The mitzvah of Sefirat HaOmer is individually performed each year as we reckon the opening days of Israel's harvest; counting up from Pesach to Shavuot. Curiously, a time-honored and sacred tradition emphasizes that this “counting” must be performed when in upright “standing” position. By tracing back to a wide range of early sources, we develop a deeper appreciation of this rule; and ultimately emerge with a solid understanding of why our physical posture has important bearing on our duty to verbalize the daily count.

Delving into Sefirat HaOmer – ritual counting from Pesach to Shavuot – the slightly disparate narrative of biblical verses lead into unique understandings of this Torah mandate, and how it might be performed in the post-temple exilic era, as separate schools of thought emerge regarding the nature this commandment today. The dominant opinion that modern-day counting is performed by rabbinic ordination alone, begs a question: how does a man-made Mitzvah create a divinely ordained festival? Remarkable insight into the counting and its effects ensues!

The Torah’s instructions about Sefirat HaOmer are precise; it must be an intact and perfect endeavour. Straightforwardly; this means each day must be counted from the night prior, thereby including the full range of each segment. An additional idea is introduced: all days must be counted in totality to account for a complete and proper Mitzvah fulfilment. Traced to their earliest sources, disparate schools of thought are presented and elucidated. Reconciliation and extraordinary insight into the counting’s nature spill over into Yiddishkeit, and ultimately life itself!

On the sixteenth of Nissan, the second day of Passover, we begin counting down the days until the festival of Shavuos, a practice with origins in the Jewish people’s redemption from slavery. As soon they left Egypt, the Jews began to eagerly count down the days until G-d would give them the Torah at Sinai.

When the Jews were redeemed from Egypt, they eagerly counted down the days until the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Today as well, we count the days and weeks from Passover as we gear up to receive the Torah anew on Shavuos.

The days between Passover and Shavuos correspond to the Israelites’ journey from Egypt in the lead up to receiving the Torah at Sinai. The closer they came to their goal, the more their anticipation grew.

We count the Omer in anticipation of the giving of the Torah on Shavuot. But on Lag BaOmer we celebrate the life of R’ Shimon bar Yochai, who revealed the esoteric dimension of Torah.

This class explains in detail the mitzvah of the Omer offering which marks the beginning of the seven-week period of ‘the counting of the Omer’.

We count 49 days from Passover to Shavuot, the day of the giving of the Torah. In the siddur (prayer book), it associates each day of counting to a different “sefirah” (kabbalistic attribute). How is all of this relevant to us now?

During these auspicious days of the Omer, one is given the opportunity to reach new levels. Learn how Chassidus gives you the tools to transform yourself by reframing your life.

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 168 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

Prayer and counting the Omer share the unique power to change reality.

A general introduction to the concept of Counting the Omer as a process of self-refinement and a look at the attribute of loving kindness as the first of the seven emotional traits.

If the previous week's trait of loving kindness enables us to say 'yes' to that which is good, then this week's trait of might and strength enables us to say 'no' to that which is not good.

The attribute of Tiferet as a synthesis of the previous two qualities of kindness and strength is expressed as empathy and compassion toward others.

Clarity of purpose comes from the attribute of Netzach which gives us the determination to bring feelings into action and ideals into reality.

The quality of Hod, the source of gratitude and humility, works in tandem with its opposite quality of Netzach to bring about balance and harmony.

The attribute of Yesod (literally “foundation”) is the ability to make a decision and commit to carrying out the previous five emotional qualities into action.

The seventh and final emotional quality, Malchut, is described as being a certain type of dignity or humble sense of authority.

The Jewish people’s redemption from Egypt as a model for getting “unstuck” from seemingly impossible situations in one’s own life.

An audio recording of the Rebbe counting the twenty-sixth day of the Omer while leading evening prayers.

A traveller should try to avoid crossing the International Date Line during the days of the Omer Count, since doing so will complicate the count.

We need G-d’s mercy so that the redemption actually arrives. Then, on the Second Passover, we can discuss whether we need to offer the Passover offering, and how exactly to go about doing so properly.