Counting the Omer

Beginning on the second night of Passover, it is traditional to recite a blessing to “count the omer” every night for 49 nights until Shavuot. This ancient practice originated as a way of expressing gratitude in anticipation of the first harvest. Later, mystical Judaism attributed seven different middot (spiritual qualities) to each week of the counting.

The Jewish Mindfulness Center of St. Louis will be sharing teachings and poems connected to each of these middot over the coming weeks. Below you can find further resources to help support this practice.

How do we count the Omer?

Counting the Omer each night means reciting a blessing and literally counting each day of the 49-day period. Follow these links to resources to help support this practice:

Reform Judaism’s Guide to Counting the Omer

An Introduction to the Omer from the Institute for Jewish Spirituality

A Middot Omer Calendar