Counting of the Omer · Sefirat HaOmer

Culture of origin: Jewish · Cultural

Holiday sources: Israel · Judaism

The Torah commands counting seven full weeks from the day the omer, a sheaf of the new barley, was offered in the Temple, the second day of Passover, to Shavuot. Each evening the day's number is counted aloud with a blessing. The weeks are kept as a time of semi-mourning, which tradition links to a plague among Rabbi Akiva's students: in most communities there are no weddings or haircuts, until Lag BaOmer, the 33rd day, lifts the mourning.