Tied to the Land


In this period between Passover and Shavuot we count forty nine days that join the two holidays together. The freedom of Passover finds its final purpose in the Giving of the Torah which we celebrate at Shavuot. This period of time is referred to as “the Omer.” In ancient times an “omer” was a dry measure of wheat which was brought to the Temple as a special agricultural sacrifice in thanks of the new spring crops. Today we keep the memory of that sacrifice alive by counting each day during the period and marking the progression toward Shavuot. This ancient sacrifice seems very far removed from our lives but, in truth, it can serve as a reminder of a very important lesson—the future of Jews everywhere is still bound up with the future of the State of Israel.

During this time of the Omer we are reminded just how important the Jewish homeland is to our people- after two thousand years the land of Israel still brought new strength and pride to Jews around the world. It is unfortunate that at this time when we celebrate our connection to the land we also have to keep a close eye on those who would destroy Israel. Need I say it? Yes, the UN is up to its usual bag of tricks and lies. The threat is a resolution that has been slated for September- the resolution would be a declaration of Statehood for Palestine which would, in effect, create a two-state partition without the involvement or agreement of Israel. Needless to say, this is no solution but rather an attempt by the UN to force, de facto, a Palestinian state into existence.

Such a resolution will do nothing to bring peace or safety to Israel, it is a lose/lose situation that will force a war with the Arab world. If you will allow me a loose analogy- this would be like the UN voting that the United States give California back to Mexico. It does nothing to respect national sovereignty or to set the stage for a peaceful outcome.

During this period of the Omer we are reminded that the fate of the Jewish people has always been tied to the fate of the Jewish homeland. That homeland was denied us for over two thousand years- we can’t let it been stolen again.

Fulfill the mitzvah of counting the Omer—let no day pass without a prayer for Medinat Yisrael and Am Yisrael.