The Paradoxical Lessons In Counting Sefira

There are two ways to understand the Sefirat Haomer period. It can be viewed as a countdown to receiving the Torah on Shavuot. Or it can be viewed as a period of incremental growth- for the Jews as they left Egypt and for each of us as well. These two approaches can be used to understand the logic behind a number of Halachik arguments:

Is Sefirat Haomer today Torah-ordained or Rabbinic? If we are counting towards Receiving the Torah, then we count today as it has been done throughout history and can continue to be viewed as a Torah-obligation. However if Sefira is about personal/ national transformation, this was symbolized by the transition from Korban Haomer (barley) to Korban Shtei Halechem (bread on Shavuot). Since we no longer have Korbanot, our count is only a commemoration and would be considered Rabbinically obligated.

1)      Is Sefira one mitzvah or 49 separate mitzvot? If the Count is about reaching Matan Torah, then there is only one destination. Therefore one would view the entire period as one Mitzvah. However if Sefirat haomer is about personal/ national development, then it is possible to view each and every step of growth as important and a mitzvah in its own right.

2)      Whether one can fulfill their obligation to count by listening to someone else (ie does Shomei’ah K’oneh apply to Sefirat Haomer?) If Sefirah is about getting to Matan Torah, then each person must prepare for Matan Torah themselves. However if Sefira is about personal/ national development, part of that development is the notion of Areivut -that Jews are responsible for one another- which is demonstrated through Shomei’ah K’Oneh

In these ways Sefirat HaOmer teaches us important, yet dichotomous lessons: The importance of the individual as well as the community. The value of having a goal, while appreciating every step along that journey.