B"H
Friday, Iyar 12, 5779 / May 17, 2019 (27th day of the Omer)
This Shabbat, in the Diaspora, we will read Parshat Emor, in the Book of Leviticus. Israel, where they are one Parsha ahead of us, will read Parshat B’Har.
The reason that the Torah readings are different now in Israel and in the Diaspora is because of the Pesach holiday. The first day of Pesach, this year, was Shabbat. As a result, in the Diaspora where we observe eight days of Peasch, the last day of Pesach was also Shabbat and the regular weekly Torah reading was waved for the holiday reading.
But In Israel, where only seven days of Pesach are observed, the last day of Pesach was on a Friday. Thus, on Shabbat, while in the Diaspora was still holiday, for them it was a regular Shabbat and the weekly reading was read. This is why we are one Parsha behind them. It will be adjusted eventually.
In Parshat Emor the Torah tells us about all the holidays; Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Shmini Atzeret.
In Parshat Emor, the Torah tells us about the mitzvah of Sefirat HaOmer – the Counting of the Omer. From the second night of Pesach until Shavuot, when we celebrate G-d’s giving the Torah to the Jewish people, we recite a blessing and count each day for a period of forty nine days.
Q.The Torah says, “You shall count fifty days,” so why do we count at night?
A.In the beginning of Genesis, after each day of creation the Torah says, “There was evening, there was morning, one day.. There was evening there was morning, two days,” etc. According to the Torah the day begins from the night before. Shabbat begins on Friday night and all Jewish holidays begin with the night. We count as soon as the new day begins, which is from the night.
Another reason, “Sefirah,” which means to “count,” can also be translated as, “illumination.”
Where is light needed most? in a place of darkness. Thus, this mitzvah of counting the Omer at night, relates a personal message that each of us has the ability to be a beacon of light and illuminate the darkness surrounding us. Our sages say “Even a small amount of light can push away much darkness.” When each of us projects even a small amount of light, togetherwe can illuminate the entire world and be a light unto the nations.
On the lighter side: A visitor to Chelm saw a man searching under a street lamp. He offered to help him search, but after searching a long time and not finding anything, he asked the man, “Are you sure you lost it here?”
“No. In fact, I lost it a few blocks away,” answered the Chelmite. But where I lost it it’s very dark, so I came here, where there is light, to search for it..”
SHABBAT SHALOM
Candle lighting time: 8:02 / Shabbat ends: 9:15