Leviticus 23:15 - Counting days to Shavuot

The Commandment of Sefirat HaOmer

The verse (Vayikra 23:15) commands the counting of the Omer, beginning from the day after the first day of Pesach (referred to here as "the morrow after the Shabbat") and continuing for seven complete weeks until Shavuot. This mitzvah, known as Sefirat HaOmer, bridges Pesach and Shavuot, connecting the physical redemption from Egypt with the spiritual redemption of receiving the Torah at Har Sinai.

Interpretation of "Morrow After the Shabbat"

Rashi explains that the term "the morrow after the Shabbat" does not refer to the weekly Shabbat but rather to the first day of Pesach (Yom Tov), which is called "Shabbat" in this context because it is a day of rest. This interpretation follows the Oral Torah tradition (Menachot 65b) and is universally accepted in Halacha. The count begins on the 16th of Nisan, the day the Omer offering was brought in the Beit HaMikdash.

The Omer Offering

The "Omer of the wave offering" refers to the barley offering brought on the second day of Pesach. The Rambam (Hilchot Temidin uMusafin 7:6) details that this offering was a measure of an omer (approximately 2.2 liters) of barley flour, waved before Hashem by the Kohen. This act sanctified the new grain harvest and permitted its consumption.

Seven Complete Weeks

The phrase "seven complete sabbaths" (שֶׁבַע שַׁבָּתוֹת תְּמִימֹת) teaches that the counting must encompass seven full weeks (49 days) without interruption. The Talmud (Menachot 66a) derives from the word "תְּמִימֹת" (complete) that one must count both days and weeks, leading to the practice of reciting both counts (e.g., "Today is 32 days, which is four weeks and four days of the Omer").

Spiritual Preparation for Shavuot

The Seforno explains that this counting period is a time of spiritual refinement, preparing us to receive the Torah on Shavuot. Just as Bnei Yisrael underwent a 49-day process from leaving Egypt to standing at Har Sinai, we too use these days to work on our middot (character traits) and Torah study, elevating ourselves for Matan Torah.

Halachic Details

• The count is performed at night, following the opinion of the Gemara (Menachot 66a) that the day begins at nightfall.
• One must count both the days and the weeks, as derived from the double language in the verse (Rambam, Hilchot Temidin uMusafin 7:22).
• If one forgets to count at night, they may count during the day without a bracha (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 489:7).