Super Simple Guide: How to Count the Omer

Super Simple Guide: How to Count the Omer

Counting the omer can be an accessible mitzvah, commandment, that each of us can do. Below you will find the simple instructions and links for more information if you need it.

Each day, after sunset, one counts the omer by taking two steps, in order.

1. Recite the blessing
2. Count the number of days.

Recite the blessing:

Before reciting the blessing, if one is able, they should stand and recite the following:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּ֒שָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹֽמֶר:

Barukh atah adonai eloheinu melekh ha’olam, asher kidshanu, b’mitzvotav, v’tzivanu, al sefirat haomer.
Praised are you Adonai, sovereign of the universe, who makes us holy and commands us through mitzvot upon the counting of the omer.

Count the days:

To count the days, we recite the number of the day and then how many weeks and days that calculates to. So, for example, the fourth day would be, in Hebrew, “Today is four days of the omer” while the twelfth day would be, in Hebrew, “Today is twelve days, one week and five days of the omer.”

Click here for the Omer Count Chart.

Weekly Counter PDFs

The Rabbinical Assembly has put together a PDF with each week with the blessing and the count for each day.

The first week’s theme is “Hesed,” or “Love and Kindness.” Download the PDF here.

The second week’s theme is “Judgment and Power.” Download the PDF here.

The third week’s theme is “Splendor.” Download the PDF here.

The fourth week’s theme is “Time and Eternity.” Download the PDF here.

The fifth week’s theme is “Glory.” Download the PDF here.

The sixth week’s theme is “Foundation.” Download the PDF here.

The seventh week’s theme is “God’s Presence.” Download the PDF here.

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  • Exploring Judaism

    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

Author

  • Exploring Judaism

    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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