All for One, One for All | Rabbi Stewart Weiss | Beit Midrash

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קטגוריה משנית

"And you shall count for yourselves, on the day after Shabbat (Pesach), from the day when the Omer offering is brought, seven full, complete weeks." (23:15)

These words in our Sedra describe the Sefirat Ha-Omer ritual which is currently underway; it began on Pesach & concludes on Shavuot. This is quite an unusual Mitzva, this series of counting, a practice that historically started on a celebratory note, but which has become tinged with sadness, as we mourn the loss of Rabbi Akiva’s 24,000 students – who died during this same period - & observe semi-mourning practices in their memory.

One of the more perplexing aspects of the Omer relates to the rules of counting. Traditionally, the rabbi or the shaliach tzibbur counts first, with a bracha, we all answer "Amen," then each of us counts individually with our own bracha. But why isn’t it sufficient to be yotze with the leader’s rendition, as we do for Kiddush & other prayers?

Furthermore, the halacha says that if we forget to count on any one night, then we cannot continue counting with a bracha (tho we do continue without saying the bracha). This is because the 49 days of counting are one "set."

But if they are a set, then why don’t we just make one bracha at the beginning of the count, on the first night, & then say a closing bracha on the last night? Why are there 49 separate brachot recited?!

And if you counter that each bracha is self-contained & a mitzvah in & of itself, then why do I forfeit my bracha on day 29 just because I forgot day 28?! Make up your mind, please: is this an individual, or a communal Mitzva?

The answer, of course, is "Yes; they are both!" We count as individuals, but within the greater majority. We learn this from the two seemingly contradictory words in the pasuk above: Lachem, for you, i.e. individually; & T’mimot, complete, i.e. one ongoing comprehensive package encompassing the entire 49-day period.

That is the law, the rules, unusual as they may be. But there is also a beautiful philosophy behind them. Judaism recognizes the uniqueness of every single person; none of us was created "by accident," we each have our own strengths & abilities, something special that Hashem chose to bestow upon us & only us.

But, at the same time, we are part of a greater entity, the entire body of Am Yisrael, & we must bring our talents to the community & to the world. When "me" becomes "we," we truly count &, in turn, are counted upon.