Sefirat HaOmer is the countdown period from the second night of Pesach to the day before Shavuot - a period of 49 days.
In the time of the Holy Temple the countdown started after offering on this second Pesach night a barley meal offering along with its accompanying wine libation and animal sacrifice.
On a deeper level, barley - considered mainly an animal food product - indicates our status before receiving the Torah on Mt. Sinai - i.e. that we are empty of true Torah wisdom and thus considered in a sense like animals.
In this vein, the Sefirah countdown serves to release from within us our built-up yearning and desire to come closer to true wisdom and thus also come closer to the awareness of Hashem and His kindness in our personal lives.
The countdown is a period of 49 days, a multiple of the number 7. 7 is the makeup of time in this world since the weekday period is made up of seven days. Each day, has a unique characteristic and attribute which is rooted in the 7 lower Sefirot/powers which Hashem uses to channel His bounty and blessings into the world. By counting a total of 7x7 we are merging and unifying each Sefirah/day with every other Sefirah/day, whereby lifting us above the limitation of time within the framework of the 7-day week period. Thus, in a sense, the 49 day Sefirah period is considered above time.
This parallels directly to the yearning of every Jew to come closer to Hashem and everything else that represents His presence in this world (e.g. the Torah, the True Tzaddikim etc.). Yearning is also above the limitations of time. The proof to this is that yearning and desire is something that can always be tapped into no matter what age a person is - it is something that doesn't grow old! In fact developing and reconnecting to one's inner-yearning and desire is what keeps a person constantly "young at heart and soul".
IN CONCLUSION: The Sefirah period is a time to reconnect, remind and re-energize ourselves with our true and ultimate purpose in this world. By doing so, we merit every year to receive the deeper dimensions of the Torah which in turn deepens our connection and awareness of Hashem in our personal lives.
May we take this opportunity to its maximum, Amen.
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To help send support to needy large families here in Yerushalayim (especially after the big Pesach expenses) please follow the following paypal link: SUPPORT OF NEEDY LARGE FAMILIES IN YERUSHALAYIM
As a token of appreciation for your support, please include your Hebrew name and mother's Hebrew name (if applicable) in the description box on the left side of the paypal page. I will bli neder add your name to my 40-day davening list which also includes sporadic praying at the holy sites here in Eretz Yisrael.
Thank you, be well, and have a healthy summer.
Sincererly
Meir Elkabas
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