Parashas Bamidbar
During the days between the beginning of Pesach (Passover) and Shavuos, we count the omer each evening. On Shavuos, we celebrate having received the Torah at Mt. Sinai. We are therefore counting the days until we receive the Torah. The sefer haChinuch, a classical commentator, asks what has become a well-known question. We know that often, if one is looking forward to an event, he counts down towards that event. For example, we often see that young children count down to an event happening using language like "only 3 days left until ___! Only 2 days left! Only one day left!". However, here, when we count the omer, we increase our count each night. We are certainly looking forward to receiving the Torah on Shavuos, so why don't we count down towards that event? Why do we count up? Rabbi Gibber offers the following answer. In the days leading up to Shavuos, we are supposed to work on ourselves, so that we will merit receiving the Torah. If we start off our counting with 49, it will be very daunting because we see the 48 days ahead of us in their entirety, and each day requires our working on ourselves in a different way. Therefore, we count upwards. We add a number each day, and each day we can reflect on what we have accomplished the previous day. This is in general the way we should approach mitzvos. We should try to accomplish what we can each day, and instead of looking at the large task before us, we should take one day at a time and try to achieve as much as we can in that day. Have a wonderful Shabbos and an enjoyable Shavuos! Naftali
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Rabbi Naftali KarpEvery week Rabbi Karp sends out thoughts about the weekly Torah portion. Enjoy! Archives
June 2013
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