“You shall count for yourselves from the day following the day of rest, from the day on which you bring the Omer as a wave-offering; [the counting] shall be for seven full weeks. Until the day following the seventh week shall you count fifty days”

Counting the Omer (Seferat ha’Omer) is done during the seven weeks and 49 days between Pesach and Shavuot. Counting the Omer is about preparing to receive the Torah into your life, and anticipating the work of Ruach HaKodesh. This is a time of offerings and establishes a connection between Pesach and Shavuot. Clearly the Disciples of Yeshua would have been doing the Count of the Omer waiting for Holy Spirit to come upon the in power as promised by Yeshua in Matthew and Luke. For Yeshua and the early Nazarene’s there’s a clear connection between Passover and Pentecost as they have come to be known in English. The day following the of rest, the first Shabbat of Pesach (which falls on Nisan 16th), is the day we begin the Count of the Omer. The first day of Pesach (Nisan 15th) is “a” Shabbat to the L-rd the passage says the day following this Shabbat is the day to begin the count which is Nisan 16th. This period during the count is said to be a time of healing and deliverance from the mental bondage brought through slavery. The time period between Pesach and Shavuot is said to be the time necessary so that our souls may be cleansed from the defilement of Egypt. It is a time to purify your “Nefesh (Soul), Ruach (Spirit) and Neshamah (Body).” This focus on purification and holiness in important in preparing to receive the Torah and the Ruach HaKoddesh. We must prepare ourselves in prayer and supplication. On the day of Pentecost they were all gathered together in prayer and supplication. During this time of deliverance preparing to receive the Ruach HaKoddesh in light of having received the Torah on this same day in antiquity.

“They all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication…” (Acts 1:14)

Lag Ba’Omer is the 33rd day of Omer count, the mourning restrictions of Omer Count are lifted on this day. Very often there are picnics, parades, and bonfires, as well as bow and arrow play for children. The Talmud states that during Rabbi Akiva‘s time there was a great plague among his disciples. This is why there is a period of mourning and grieving in remembrance of this tragedy. During this time traditionally one doesn’t have weddings, parties or dinners with dancing. This is done in memory of the plague. Haircuts are also forbidden during this time. The dying ceased on Lag Ba’Omer. The plague was blamed on a lack of respect toward each other. This is also why many of the parade’s and celebrations on this day carry the theme of unity, to love and respect each other. The idea of bonfire’s, bows and arrows, and parades sounds like a lot of fun.

“When the Day of Shavuot had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place“ (Acts 2:1).

In the light of the Disciples being in one place in one accord, unity festivals and parades make sense. Shavuot is one of the three festivals in which you are required to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Shavuot commemorates Moshe giving the law to the Israelites and Yeshua giving the Holy Spirit to us. As Yeshua said “the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (John 4:23). After Yeshua’s ascension to heaven the Disciples most likely waiting in Israel counting the Omer until the received the power from on high as Promised.

“So stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high“ (Luke 24:49).

As Yeshua commanded the Disciples to wait in the City (Jerusalem) and count the Omer until they we’re clothed with power from on High. This time is a time of rejoicing, since we received the Torah (Instruction) and the Spirit (Ruach HaKoddesh). This is a time of great excitement and anticipation. This is also a time to seek to be filled and refilled with the Holy Spirit. Charis-mata translates as G-ds Ability a Free Gift. Charis means G-ds Ability. Mata translates as Free Gift. Many times people “say” that Charis means Free Gift this is a misnomer. Mata means Free Gift. Charis means Spiritual Enablement or G-ds Ability. With Moshe G-d gave us Torah, His Instructions and now Yeshua gave us the Charis, we have the ability from G-d and the knowledge from G-d on how to follow His loving Instructions. This is also the time in which we see the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecy to pour out His Ruach upon all flesh.

Some Of The Traditions Of Shavout

On Shavuot it is tradition to read the Book of Ruth, as well as poems about the 613 Mitzvot, to drink wine (as in most Holy Days) and to eat cheese. I find the reading of the Book of Ruth to be significant because it includes a Gentile taking on the ways of the Jewish people. As we see in Acts Gentiles are also received into the family of Avraham and do receive the Ruach HaKoddesh as well. Two of the popular poems that are read are “Akdamut” which means “Before I Speak” and “Ketuvah” which means “The Wedding Contract.” Thes poems aare a beautiful picture of what Yeshua gave us, a Wedding Contract and a Gift of Speaking in Unknown Tongues. Before I Speak He will give me what to speak. Adkamut is a poem written before a mock debate during the First Crusade as a defense for Judaism in fixed trials that were used to harm the Jewish people by their Christian accusers. This poem “Adkamut“is said to be done by Rabbi Meir son of Rabbi Yitzchak, who was the Chazan (Cantor) in Germany and said to be one of the teachers of Rashi. The “Ketuvah” is a beautiful Love Song as a metaphor of the Marriage Contract between the Jewish People and the Torah much in the same form as Song of Solomon. Another tradition during this time is to read Song of Solomon as a love poem from Adonai to Israel. I find this is a beautiful picture of Messiah as our Groom, who signed the wedding contract in red ink with the seal of the Ruach haKoddesh. This royal decree, this covenant signed in His blood is beautiful much like this love song. This love song “Ketuvah“was written Rabbi Yisrael Najara. Rabbi Najara was a Sephardic Jew who live in a Muslim country while Muslim’s were leaders in Geometry (Math), Philosophy, Poetry, Grammar and Astronomy. This inspired the Jews to excel in the same areas. This was said to be a golden age for the Jewish people. I like the stories of struggle and triumph. The stories behind the poems Akdamut and Ketuvah are deep and significant. I believe they also have a Messianic implications.

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