Parashat Bechukotai

Bechukotai 5768/2008

This week's parsha opens with an important concept that reminds us of the significance of the period we are in, the period of the Counting of the Omer. From the second night of Pesach until Shavuot, we count each day with a bracha.

We are commanded to count. Although the reason is not explicit, there are at least two ideas that shed light the significance of this counting. First, we are told to count the 'Omer'. The Omer is a measure of barley. Barley is the grain with the smallest monetary value. When all our crops flourish, barley is fed to the animals and humans prefer wheat. We are told that there is sanctity in counting the barley. If we want to celebrate our bounties, we need to celebrate even our smallest blessings and to be grateful for even that which seems of little significance.

Although the Omer is linked to the agricultural lifestyle of the Jewish people in our Land, we count from the day of Exodus until the day of Revelation - from Pesach to Shavuot - linking our two greatest historical events. The counting takes on a significance well beyond the matter of our harvests. Our physical wealth, exemplified by good harvests, are little compared to our spiritual gifts bestowed at Sinai.

The parsha opens with the strange line 'if you follow my statutes and observe my commandments and perform them.' Surely if you 'follow', you 'observe' and you 'perform'. Rashi explains that simply 'following' the law is not enough; performance of mitzvot is not enough. We need to immerse ourselves in them, to 'toil' in them, struggle with them, think about them.

Counting the days of the Omer is important - but it is not fulfilment of the opening of this week's parsha unless we use the 49 days to consider the significance of the period from Exodus to Sinai and unless we use the time to contemplate the many bounties bestowed on us and to appreciate the small things we might otherwise take for granted.