Observances of the Omer

In the second century CE, a plague claimed the lives of 24,000 of Rabbi Akiva's students. They all died between Passover and Shavuot, a period of 49 days. Therefore, during this time we commemorate the event with a period of half-mourning.

Historically, many tragedies occurred during this time. The tragically infamous blood libels incited antisemitic pogroms in the weeks following Passover.

During these days we do not do the following activities:

1) Marriages.

2) Listen to music with instruments.

3) Buy valuable clothes.

4) Cut the hair or beard.

In total, of the 49 days, we commemorate 33 (that is, we do not count Yom Tov, Shabbat, and Rosh Chodesh). However, there is some debate about when the mourning period begins, so some people customarily end the mourning period on the 33rd day, while others end it only with the festival of Shavuot, at the end of the 49 days.

According to everyone, however, the 33rd day of the count is a holiday, it is Lag BaOmer, the day of the passing of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, one of Rabbi Akiva's students who survived, and he specifically asked that we rejoice on the day his soul met with its Creator.

From a mystical perspective, Kabbalah explains the reason for the 49 days.

After leaving Egypt on the first day of Passover, we counted 49 days with great suspense. Then, on the fiftieth day, gathered at the very place where God had appeared to Moses in the burning bush, we received the Torah.

Kabbalah describes 49 aspects of human character. Each day symbolizes a facet of our nature that has been elevated and refined, bringing us one step closer to receiving Divine revelation at the Giving of the Torah.

Each year we relive that historic journey. Starting on the second night of Passover, we count the days and weeks until we reach the festival of Shavuot. We call this the Counting of the Omer.