ממאמר ד”ה וספרתם לכם ממחרת השבת וגו’ –
אור ליום ג’, ערב חג השבועות, ה’תשד”מ,
Maamar, Usefartem Lachem 5744
A. The Counting of the Omer
The Torah commands us to count seven weeks beginning from the day after Passover, culminating in the time of the Giving of the Torah. (Source 1) We count the days of the Omer in the same way the Jews in the desert counted them, as they waited eagerly for the Giving of the Torah. (Source 2)
There is an essential connection between the Exodus from Egypt, the Counting of the Omer, and Shavuot. The purpose of the Exodus was to reach the Giving of the Torah, and the days of the Omer connect these two events.
The Midrash refers to Shavuot as the “Atzeret” (concluding festival) of Passover, indicating that Shavuot is the completion of the process that began with the Exodus from Egypt. (Source 3)
B. Escaping Evil and Inner Refinement
These three events—the Exodus from Egypt, the Counting of the Omer, and the Giving of the Torah—represent three stages and approaches in the service of G-d.
The Exodus from Egypt represents fleeing from a negative state. In the language of Chassidut, this type of service is called “Iskafya,” self-restraint and the subjugation of improper desires and tendencies. In addition, the Exodus also represents leaving one’s personal “constraints”—the limitations, habits, and mindsets that prevent us from progressing. Since this stage focuses on rejecting and distancing oneself from evil, it occurs in one sharp and rapid movement.
Then comes the Counting of the Omer, which represents the service of “do good”—the positive building and refinement of the soul. For this reason, the counting continues for seven weeks, corresponding to the seven emotional attributes of the human heart. During these days, we work on clarifying and refining our character traits until we reach inner wholeness and refinement of all the attributes of our soul.
C. Torah Brings Peace
The Giving of the Torah represents the concept of peace. Even before the Giving of the Torah, the Patriarchs fulfilled the entire Torah. Chassidut explains that the great innovation of Sinai was the descent of the Divine Presence into the world. From that point onward, we were given the power to infuse holiness into physical reality, to the extent that physical objects and material matters themselves can become sanctified and transformed into vessels for spirituality.
After the stages of “turn away from evil” and “do good,” comes the higher stage of “seek peace and pursue it.” The purpose of the Torah is to create peace and connection between the higher and lower realms. This mission was entrusted to the Jewish people.
