Sefirat Haomer
and Changing Character
During
the Omer, the 49 day period between Pesach and Shavuot,
Jews have traditionally focused on character development.
Our middot shiurim will share this focus
during these weeks approaching Shavuot.
Redirection
and Sanctification
The
“Omer” itself was a barley sacrifice offered on
the morning of the second day of Pesach.
“Counting the Omer” (Sefirat Haomer) refers
to the mitzvah to count the days and weeks following
the Omer sacrifice.
In the Shem Mishmuel Haggada, Rav Shmuel
Bornshtein zt:”l the Sochotchover Rebbe, teaches
about the unique avoda (service) of this period.
He builds on
a number of significant points:
- The “omer” is a barley sacrifice. Most of the grain sacrifices are brought from wheat.
The only other barley sacrifice brought
is that of the sota woman suspected of adultery
by her husband.
Why barley?
- Part of the omer sacrifice involved lifting it. What is the significance of lifting?
Sacrifices
What
is the point of sacrifices in general?
As a rule, sacrifices involve redirecting
our natural and physical powers towards holiness
and service of G-d.
The Shem Mishmuel refers to this with the
ancient term, “turning darkness into light.”
Different sacrifices relate to different
areas of life.
Animal sacrifices relate to the
very intense area of our lusts, desires, and will. Turning our animal side into light would involve, for instance,
using the drives of the yetzer hara (evil inclination)
towards Torah learning, to fill it with life and
fire. Wheat
sacrifices relate to the area of intelligence
and wisdom.
Wheat is connected to this area, as the
Sages say, a baby doesn’t begin to call to his
father until he starts to eat grains.
Redirecting wisdom means taking natural
wisdom and intelligence and redirecting it to
wisdom of the Divine.
Barley is considered animal feed.
The animal’s character is subjugation,
nullification and lowering of one’s self. The sota woman lowered herself and docilely
followed her evil inclination, “did something
animal-like,” and therefore offers a sacrifice
of animal feed.
The
Omer
The
Omer period, following the barley sacrifice on the
second day of Pesach, is devoted to correcting,
redirecting and sanctifying the trait of self-nullification
and subjugation (hachna’a).
However, utilizing this trait is potentially
very dangerous. Lowliness can come very close to depression and unhealthy sadness,
one of the most problematic of inner states. Subjugating one’s self to others can destroy independence and
lead to determining behavior by social opinion –
against the Shulchan Arukh’s warning, “Do not be
embarrassed in the face of those who ridicule [your
service of G-d]”.
Yet nullification to G-d is an essential
characteristic. Subjugation to G-d is part of being His servant. Lowliness is essential for real humility.
How can one tread this fine line – acquiring
lowliness, subjugation and nullification without
drifting into depression or losing personal independence?
This
is where the Omer comes in.
The Omer is timed right after the first
day of Pesach where love for G-d and joy in His
redemption are at a high pitch.
This is the time to work on redirecting
and sanctifying the traits of lowliness, subjugation,
and nullification. Then, we are able to negate ourselves and the whole world before
G-d, yet retain boldness and (positive) tough-mindedness. The danger of sinking into despair or
dependence is at a minimum.
We
are then able to “lift up” – redirect and
sanctify – the “Omer” – the animal-like
trait of subjugation (symbolized by the animal
feed sacrifice) without becoming docile or depressed.
This is summed up in a three-word comment
on the first paragraph of Hallel (also called
Hallel Mitzrayim).
“Praise [Him] servants of G-d,” we say
in Hallel – and not servants of Pharaoh.
Up until now you were slaves to Pharaoh
and from now on you are servants of G-d (Mekhilta). During this period we are able to accomplish
this difficult and delicate task – redirecting
and sanctifying the trait of nullification, lowliness,
and subjugation.
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