Editing Counting of the Omer (section)

==Symbolism==
[[File:Barley.jpg|thumb|Modern barley field]]
[[File:Wheat sheaves near King's Somborne - geograph.org.uk - 889992.jpg|thumb|Modern-day wheat sheaves]]

In the rabbinic chronology, the giving of the Torah at [[Mount Sinai]] happened on Shavuot. Thus, the omer period is one of preparation and anticipation for the giving of the Torah.<ref>{{cite book|last=Scherman|first=Nosson (translation and anthology)|title=The Complete ArtScroll Siddur (Nusach Ashkenaz)|year=1984|edition=First Impression|publisher=Mesorah Publications, Ltd|location=Brooklyn, NY, USA|isbn=0-89906-650-X|page=283}}</ref> According to ''[[Aruch HaShulchan]]'', already in Egypt [[Moses]] announced to the Israelites that they would celebrate a religious ceremony at [[Mount Sinai]] once 50 days had passed, and the people was so excited by this that they counted the days until that ceremony took place. Homiletically, in modern times when the Temple sacrifices of Shavuot are not offered, counting the omer still has a purpose as a remembrance of the counting up to Sinai.<ref>[[Aruch Hashulchan]] Orach Chaim 489:2; quoting [[Nissim of Gerona|Ran]], end of [[Pesachim]]; the midrash in question appears not to be preserved in any extant midrash collection. Text in Aruch Hashulchan:ובהגדה אמרו בשעה שאמר להם משה תעבדון את אלקים על ההר הזה אמרו לו ישראל משה רבינו אימתי עבודה זו אמר להם לסוף נ' יום והיו מונין כל אחד ואחד לעצמו מכאן קבעו חכמים לספירת העומר כלומר בזמן הזה שאין אנו מביאין קרבן ולא עומר אלא מחשבין נ' יום לשמחת התורה כמו שמנו ישראל באותו זמן וזהו דרך דרש</ref>

One explanation for the Counting of the Omer is that it shows the connection between Passover and Shavuot. The physical freedom that the Hebrews achieved at the Exodus from Egypt was only the beginning of a process that climaxed with the spiritual freedom they gained at the giving of the Torah on Shavuot. The [[Sefer HaChinuch]] states that the Israelites were only freed from [[Ancient Egypt|Egypt]] at Passover in order to receive the Torah.<ref>[[Sefer HaChinuch]], 306</ref> The Counting of the ''Omer'' demonstrates how much a Jew desires to accept the Torah in their own life.

According to [[Maharal]], there is a symbolic contrast between the [[omer offering]] (offered on Passover) and the Shavuot sacrifice (''shtei halechem'') offered upon conclusion of the omer. The former consists of barley, which is typically an animal food, and represents the low and passive spiritual level of the Israelites immediately upon leaving Egypt; while the latter consists of wheat and represents the high and active spiritual level of the Israelites upon receiving the Torah.<ref>[https://www.toraland.org.il/%D7%9E%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%91%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%92%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%A9%D7%A0%D7%94/%D7%9C%D7%92-%D7%91%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%A8/%D7%9C%D7%94%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%A3-%D7%90%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%A8/ להניף את העומר]</ref>

In Israel, the omer period coincides with the final ripening period of wheat before it is harvested around Shavuot. In this period, the quality of the harvest is very sensitive, and can easily be ruined by bad weather.<ref>cf. {{Bibleverse|1 Samuel|12:17-19|HE}}</ref> Thus, the omer period stresses human vulnerability and dependence on God.<ref>{{Alhatorah|Vayikra|23:17|Sforno}}</ref>

According to [[Nahmanides]], Passover and Shavuot effectively form one extended holiday, with the seven weeks of the omer paralleling the seven days of Passover or [[Sukkot]], and the omer period paralleling [[Chol Hamoed]].<ref>{{Alhatorah|Vayikra|23:37|Ramban}}</ref>