During the seder on the second night of Passover, we counted the omer. We are commanded to count each day in between Passover and Shavuot.

About 7.5 years ago Lev and I learned that our first child would be born around erev Shavuot, we have gathered together to say the blessing and count the omer. Before we say the blessing we have a tune to the words in Hebrew:

Behold, I am prepared and ready to perform the mitzvah of counting the Omer, as is written in your Torah:

You are to count from the end of the rest day. From the day you brought the waived Omer-offering, they [the counting] shall be seven complete weeks. Until the end of of the seventh week you shall count fifty day.

Leviticus 23:15-16

Singing this verse together helps me to be more present in the moment at hand. I am acknowledging that I am ready to perform this mitzvah, this commandment from God along with Jews around the world and through time.

We all get distracted and caught up in the craziness of each day. Sometimes time passes ever so slowly and other times it seems like some moments have flown by.

Counting the omer gives us a moment each night to pause and reflect on the day that has just passed. We give honor to the time we have spent and count one more day.

As spring is just starting, look outside to see beautiful flowers and new growth everywhere in nature. What do you want to nurture and help to grow or regrow in your life? The time of the omer is a perfect opportunity to work on learning something new, starting or finishing a project. What can you accomplish in seven weeks?

While we count every day, be sure to make every day count!

Click here for more information on how to count the omer.