Parashat Emor 5784

Albert Einstein once said, “Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted.” Reflecting on this wisdom, I write this D’var Torah on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 – the Sixteenth Day of the Omer: Day 215 of captivity, as we continue to count both the days of the Omer and the endless days of our brothers and sisters’ cruel captivity at the hands of terrorists.

Inevitably, my thoughts turn to a particular section of Parashat Emor:

וּסְפַרְתֶּ֤ם לָכֶם֙ מִמׇּחֳרַ֣ת הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת מִיּוֹם֙ הֲבִ֣יאֲכֶ֔ם אֶת־עֹ֖מֶר הַתְּנוּפָ֑ה שֶׁ֥בַע שַׁבָּת֖וֹת תְּמִימֹ֥ת תִּהְיֶֽינָה׃

(Leviticus 23:15-16), which instructs: “You shall count from the eve of the second day of Pesach when an Omer of grain is to be brought as an offering, seven complete weeks.” The day after the seventh week of your counting will make 50 days. The Hebrew text adds the word “lakhem” (for yourselves) to the command to count. This personalizes the act, inviting us to delve into our own souls, not just for a numerical count but for a deep analysis and watchfulness of our steps and behavior. It’s an opportunity to inspect our lives, weighing our actions in the scales of judgment to discern authentic good from evil. The word “count” encompasses purity and refinement, echoing imagery from other biblical passages.

Psalm 90, recited during Shabbat Pesukei DeZimrah, further emphasizes the importance of counting our days rightly to obtain wisdom and seek mercy from the Divine.

לִמְנ֣וֹת יָ֭מֵינוּ כֵּ֣ן הוֹדַ֑ע וְ֝נָבִ֗א לְבַ֣ב חׇכְמָֽה׃

Teach us to count our days rightly, that we may obtain a wise heart.

So, what’s the difference between למנות (enumerating) and לספור (counting)? Counting merely recites numbers while enumerating involves associating them with real-world objects or quantities. It is to set forth, to spell out, to detail. Based on these commentaries, I would like to offer an alternative interpretation of counting the Omer: it’s not merely a numerical exercise but a spiritual practice of enumeration, prompting internal reflection and growth. This ritual parallels other spiritual cleansing rites, urging us to make each day count in our journey toward spiritual refinement. It’s a journey that holds the promise of transformation and growth.

As we navigate challenging times, Psalm 90’s plea could guide us to focus our minds and spirits on the significance of counting the Omer. Let us remember that this is not an individual pursuit but a collective endeavor for spiritual growth and purification. We should prioritize counting only the things that truly matter in our lives. May it lead us to Shavuot as a united community, as better versions of ourselves. Teach us to count our days rightly so that we may obtain a wise heart.
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Rabbi Ḥazzan Luis Cattan (AJR ’20) is currently serving at Sutton Place Synagogue in New York City. He is the Immediate Past President of the Cantors Assembly. As a native Uruguayan, he attended the Catholic University of Montevideo receiving his BA in Social Communication Sciences with a major in Advertising. He sought private instruction under the tutelage of renowned local teachers. Upon returning from Israel, where he spent a year studying, he started his Ḥazzanut training with different mentors in Uruguay and Argentina as well. He became the Head Ḥazzan at the NCI (the largest Conservative Synagogue in Uruguay). He also served as International Vice President of Mercaz Olami (Zionist Conservative Movement) as one of the founders of the Uruguayan Branch