News and updates about Omer

Violence during protest:

Two arrested during anti-government protest in Omer

Two people arrested on suspicion of attacking protesters outside the home of MK Shalom Danino in the town of Omer in southern Israel.

Two arrested during anti-government protest in Omer

The Daily Portion / Mommy, did you count?*

Our little daughter would not let me go to bed until she checked to see if I had counted the Omer.

The Daily Portion / Mommy, did you count?*

Counting Days and Weeks

It’s a beautiful heart.

Counting Days and Weeks

The Daily Portion / Day Number One was yesterday

The Daily Portion / Day Number One was yesterday

What changes when we count?

Time is unaffected by us.  It moves on, second by second, tick by tick, regardless of our efforts.  And yet we are told to count.

What changes when we count?

Sefirah, Middot and instant decisions

A story shows how one's middot, literally 'measures', but alluding to values, are central to mitzvas, as is Counting the Omer.

Sefirah, Middot and instant decisions

Being nice to terrorists

Are Jews supposed to see everyone in a positive light?

Being nice to terrorists

Omer conundrums

All you have to do is count until Shavuot, but it is not as simple as it seems.

Omer conundrums

Office of the Chief Rabbi

Count each day to make each day count!

“Teach us to number our days in order that we should become wise hearted,” said the Psalmist, a message fitting for the period of the Omer.

Count each day to make each day count!

Counting the Omer

Counting days that have passed, as in the Omer, automatically causes us to reflect on what was accomplished and what was left undone.

Counting the Omer

Ways of counting time: The Omer controversy

As the second part of the period of Counting the Omer begins, a deeper look at what it means.

Ways of counting time: The Omer controversy

The daily Sefira insight - Day #26

Educator and musician Rabbi Shlomo Katz presents a daily glimpse into the ideas and insights behind the counting of the Omer.

The daily Sefira insight - Day #26

Make your time count! Omer calendar 5779

Make your time count! Omer calendar 5779

Firefighters banned from growing beards during the Omer

Firefighting commissioner orders religious firefighters not to grow a beard during Omer despite existence of masks which accommodate beards.

Firefighters banned from growing beards during the Omer

IDF doesn't recognize 'Traditional'?

IDF soldiers defining themselves 'Traditional' and not shaving during Omer period forced to shave or jailed.

IDF doesn't recognize 'Traditional'?

Counting up, counting down

Counting up, counting down

Waving away the conflict

Waving away the conflict

A step by step primer of Passover laws 5778

A step by step primer of Passover  laws 5778

Watch: Historic Omer Barley Offering Held in Jerusalem

Temple Institute holds reenactment of new barley offering on same day it was performed in Holy Temple thousands of years ago.

Watch: Historic Omer Barley Offering Held in Jerusalem

Swastika Graffitied on Fallen IDF Soldiers' Monument

Swastika and anti-Semitic slurs in Arabic scrawled on monument for fallen IDF soldiers of southern town of Omer over the weekend.

Swastika Graffitied on Fallen IDF Soldiers' Monument

Egged Drops 'Omer Count' on Buses After Criticism

Bus company decides to halt a notification service that reminds passengers to 'count the Omer,' after criticism of 'irrelevant information'.

Egged Drops 'Omer Count' on Buses After Criticism

Secular Israelis Learn to Count the Omer on TV

For the first time, Israel television will be broadcasting educational segments relating to the counting of the Omer

Secular Israelis Learn to Count the Omer on TV

Rav Wozner, Rav Kook and the Omer

Rav Wozner, Rav Kook and the Omer