This week’s parasha is Emor. It is divided into four sections. First, it reviews procedures for the Priests to use to remain ritually pure. Second, it outlines the festival and holiday calendar. Third, it explains the use of the oil and the bread on display on the altar. Finally, there is a brief narrative about a blasphemer who is condemned to death.
Lev. 23:15 “… from the day on which you bring the sheaf offering - the day after the Sabbath - you shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete: you must count until the day after the seventh week.”
The counting of the omer, connecting the Exodus of Passover with the Revelation of Shavuot, was initiated in agricultural times as the farmers prepared for the next round of harvest.
Counting days has been difficult during this year’s pandemic-infused omer. Although it is certainly less restrictive than last year, we continue to socially distance and feel the loss of community. The days seem to blend into one another. Is today Monday or Tuesday? Can it possibly be Friday already?
Counting the omer, either personally or through Zoom chats or services, can provide structure to our lives. It provides a sense of gratitude for our Exodus from Egypt and hope as we near the commemoration of Revelation. As we slowly begin to gather in person, our excitement and anticipation are almost surreal. After a very long year, we are so close to being together again.
The arcane rituals of Leviticus are intended to provide structure in our lives and help us confront its inherent ambiguity. Perhaps, counting the omer can help keep us more grounded during these last days of isolation and afford us the growing anticipation of better days to come. As a community. In-person. Once again.
Josephine Catania Irwin Chase Samuel Cohen H. Jack Feibelman Dr. Henry Gewirtz Irving Glick Lawrence Hoffman Gladys H. Jacober Alvin Kurzer Bernie Levine Joan Adler Mark
Max Mann Beatrice Mossberg Gerald Moverman Eileen Parker Lenore Rakatansky Sherry Royall Fay Rozovsky Phyllis Sigal Stanley Smith Florence Tilles Esther Schefrin Troy
Anna Cohen Haberman Herman Haberman Donald David Jaffa Jean Moverman Jaffa Sloan Myles Jaffa Farrel A. Jaffa
YIZKOR ELOHIM The Congregation joins in mourning the death of Lea van Leeuwen Rizack Savely Kuperman Moris "Moe" Tcath Edmund Jordan Silverman Lois Fain
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