Tefillah Tips - Sefirat HaOmer I

This time of year is not only marked by lack of haircuts, weddings, and experimenting with new cheesecake recipes for Shavuot, it is also the time of the counting of the Omer.

From the second night of Pesach onward we make a blessing "Al Sefirat HaOmer" and count the night we are up to. This not only commemorates the Barley/omer offering that was brought in the time of the Temple, it is also a daily measuring stick used to gage our drawing closer to the holiday of Shavuot.

Two questions may be asked about this timely Mitzvah. Firstly, why do we count upwards and not count down (like all the radio show contests)? In addition, why don't we make the bracha Shehechianu when we start performing this Mitzvah each year? Why is this Mitzvah different than all other Mitzvot that come only once a year?

The Minchat Chinuch deals with the first question and remarks that it would be too depressing to mention how many days we have to wait until we celebrate the receiving of the Torah. Instead we focus on how many days we have already counted and count upwards.

This is a great method to employ in life generally. It is clearly more productive to focus on what we have accomplished then on what we have not. By contemplating our achievements we build self worth and a positive self-image, which fortifies us to achieve new and greater goals.

The commentators of the siddur explain that the reason we do not say Shehechianu is because we are saddened by our not being able to bring the Omer offering in the Beit HaMikdash - (The Temple in Jerusalem). And since we are not in a completely joyful spirit we do not make the Shehechianu blessing.

It is interesting to note the paradox expressed in the infrastructure of this Halacha. On one hand we are exuberant after Pesach as we start the count-up towards Shavuot - (festival of Receiving the Torah). On the other hand we recognize that while in exile our celebration(s) by definition can never be complete.

It is with this attitude that we approach all Jewish holidays and celebrations. As the bride and groom stand under the chuppah to unite and become one he smashes a glass in living memory of the Temple. The Shulchan Aruch encourages us to leave a portion of our homes unfinished in testimony to the historic Temple. In the city of Jerusalem many do not have any music whatsoever (besides a drum) at their simcha - all in memory of the Beit Hamikdash/Temple.

As we continue to count towards the holiday of Shavuot we should have in mind both of these themes a) focusing on our strengths- and b) realizing we are still in the exile. Even during our proudest moments we must still remember there is still a long way to go.