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Deuteronomy 16:9 - Counting toward Shavuot's revelation

Deuteronomy 16:9 - דברים 16:9

Hebrew Text

שִׁבְעָה שָׁבֻעֹת תִּסְפָּר־לָךְ מֵהָחֵל חֶרְמֵשׁ בַּקָּמָה תָּחֵל לִסְפֹּר שִׁבְעָה שָׁבֻעוֹת׃

English Translation

Seven weeks shalt thou number to thee: from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn shalt thou commence to number seven weeks.

Transliteration

Shiv'a shavu'ot tispor-lach mehachel chermesh bakama tachel lispor shiv'a shavu'ot.

Hebrew Leining Text

שִׁבְעָ֥ה שָׁבֻעֹ֖ת תִּסְפׇּר־לָ֑ךְ מֵהָחֵ֤ל חֶרְמֵשׁ֙ בַּקָּמָ֔ה תָּחֵ֣ל לִסְפֹּ֔ר שִׁבְעָ֖ה שָׁבֻעֽוֹת׃
שִׁבְעָ֥ה שָׁבֻעֹ֖ת תִּסְפׇּר־לָ֑ךְ מֵהָחֵ֤ל חֶרְמֵשׁ֙ בַּקָּמָ֔ה תָּחֵ֣ל לִסְפֹּ֔ר שִׁבְעָ֖ה שָׁבֻעֽוֹת׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Devarim 16:9) discusses the mitzvah of Sefirat HaOmer (Counting the Omer), which begins on the second night of Pesach and continues until Shavuot. This period connects the Exodus from Egypt (Pesach) with the giving of the Torah at Har Sinai (Shavuot). The counting of seven weeks emphasizes spiritual preparation for receiving the Torah.

Explanation of the Text

The verse states: "Seven weeks shalt thou number to thee: from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn shalt thou commence to number seven weeks." The key elements are:

  • שִׁבְעָה שָׁבֻעֹת תִּסְפָּר־לָךְ ("Seven weeks shalt thou number to thee") – The obligation to count 49 days (7 weeks) is incumbent upon each individual (Rashi, Devarim 16:9).
  • מֵהָחֵל חֶרְמֵשׁ בַּקָּמָה ("from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn") – The counting begins when the new barley harvest is reaped, specifically on the second day of Pesach (Menachot 65b).

Halachic Insights from the Talmud and Rishonim

The Talmud (Menachot 66a) derives from this verse that the counting must be done at night, based on the phrase "תִּסְפָּר־לָךְ" ("number to thee"), implying a time when one is free to focus on the mitzvah. Rambam (Hilchot Temidin u’Musafin 7:22) rules that the counting must be done while standing, though this is not explicitly stated in the verse but is derived from kabbalistic tradition.

Spiritual Significance (Midrash and Kabbalah)

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 28:3) teaches that the 49 days correspond to refining the 49 levels of impurity the Israelites had in Egypt, elevating themselves to receive the Torah. The Kabbalists (Arizal, Pri Etz Chaim) explain that each week represents one of the seven lower sefirot (divine attributes), and each day within the week refines a sub-aspect of that attribute.

Agricultural and Historical Connection

The mention of the "sickle to the corn" ties the mitzvah to the agricultural cycle in Eretz Yisrael. The Omer offering (barley) on Pesach represents humility, while Shavuot's wheat offering (two loaves) symbolizes spiritual elevation (Ramban, Vayikra 23:16). This progression mirrors the journey from physical liberation to spiritual revelation.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Menachot 65b
The verse is discussed in the context of the counting of the Omer, where the Talmud examines the precise timing and method of counting the seven weeks from the barley harvest to Shavuot.
📖 Chagigah 17b
Referenced in a discussion about the agricultural aspects of the festival cycle and the connection between the harvest and the counting of the Omer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 16:9 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 16:9 commands the counting of seven weeks (49 days) from the time the sickle is first put to the standing grain (beginning of the barley harvest) until the holiday of Shavuot. This is known as Sefirat HaOmer (Counting of the Omer), a mitzvah observed between Passover and Shavuot.
Q: Why is counting the Omer important?
A: Counting the Omer is important because it connects Passover (the Exodus from Egypt) with Shavuot (the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai). The Ramban explains that this period represents our spiritual preparation from physical freedom to receiving the Torah, making it a time of growth and self-improvement.
Q: How do we count the Omer today?
A: Today, we count the Omer each night for 49 days, starting from the second night of Passover until Shavuot. We recite a blessing and state both the day and week count (e.g., 'Today is 5 days of the Omer'). The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 489) details the proper way to fulfill this mitzvah.
Q: What can we learn from the Omer counting period?
A: The Omer teaches us the value of gradual growth. Just as the Israelites prepared for 49 days to receive the Torah, we use this time for self-reflection and working on our middot (character traits). The Talmud (Yevamot 62b) also mentions that Rabbi Akiva's students died during this period for not showing proper respect, reminding us to improve our conduct.
Q: Why does the verse mention 'putting the sickle to the corn'?
A: Rashi explains that the 'sickle to the corn' refers to the beginning of the barley harvest on the second day of Passover, when the Omer offering (a sheaf of barley) was brought in the Temple. This marked the start of the counting period, connecting agricultural life with spiritual milestones in Jewish tradition.