Counting thenSefirat HaOmer, an introduction. I have seen a book which attempts to explain the exact nature of each of the days which are counted, during the period of time which we are in right now which is called Sefirat HaOmer. I have not tried to use this source, but rather have tried to use my own limited understanding of the Kabbalah of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, aka The Ari, or The Arizal-zichrona L‘bracha (may his name be remembered for blessing). In taking on this endeavor I hope to further my understanding of what is viewed as an extremely deep and esoteric and yes even mystical explanation of some of the innermost meanings which are derived from the Torah and the Holy Zohar.
As Torah observant Jews we begin to count the days between Peysach where we are taken out of slavery and bondage in Mitzrayem (Egypt) to become Eved Hashem (an eternal servant of G-d). On the surface the idea of becoming an eternal servant of G-d may not seem particularly glamorous or even enviable, however I feel secure enough in stating that becoming an Eved of Hashem is the goal of every frum (orthodox) yid (Jew).
Since becoming an Eved Hashem is the goal of every Torah observant Jew we begin to count the days from when we are liberated from our bondage to Pharaoh (the King of Egypt, who was treated by the Egyptian people as a G-d as we learn in part from the museum exhibits of Egyptian culture and their pyramids built for their Kings to to escort them into the afterlife) until the holiday of Shavuot, when the Ten Commandments were given to Moses and the Jewish people on Mount Sinai.
During the counting of the Omer (Sefirat HaOmer) we as Torah observant Jews are unfortunately in a semi-period of mourning due to this time period coinciding with a plague which killed 12,000 pairs of the most advanced of Torah scholars of the day who were Talmidim (students) of one of the great Rabbis, Rabbi Akiva- zichrona L‘bracha (may his name be remembered for blessing). Rabbi Akiva himself was a Baal Teshuva becoming a Torah observant Jew at the ripe old age of 40 years old.
(to be continued)
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