JERUSALEM — Each evening across Israel, families, soldiers, and communities join together in the ancient practice of Sefirat HaOmer, the counting of the Omer. This tradition—a nightly ritual commemorating the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot—serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Jewish people as the country faces ongoing threats from Iranian-backed terror organizations.
The ritual, which traces back to biblical commands, calls participants to recite, “Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al Sefirat HaOmer,” followed by a formal declaration of which day of the Omer it is. It reflects not only historical heritage but also hope for the restoration of Jerusalem’s ancient Temple, as evoked in the nightly prayer: “May the Merciful One restore for us the service of the Holy Temple to its place, speedily in our days.”
In 2024, as Israel is again thrust into the center of regional conflict, this period has taken on heightened meaning. Since the October 7, 2023 massacre—the worst antisemitic atrocity since the Holocaust—acts of terror by Hamas, directed and financed as part of a broader Iranian strategy, have forced Israel into a protracted war of defense. Over 240 Israelis were taken as hostages, and indiscriminate missile attacks from Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria persist. Israel’s leadership, from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, to IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, has stressed that these actions are not only criminal but part of a campaign to threaten Israel’s existence.
For those observing the Omer, each counted day is more than just a step toward Shavuot. It becomes a reaffirmation of survival and unity—a spiritual antidote to terror. The Omer’s themes of continuity and longing for redemption are underscored by national calls for Jewish solidarity, the safe return of hostages, and prayers for peace. The yearning for the restoration of the Temple now intertwines with present-day hopes for the safe return of innocent Israelis held captive in Gaza, whose plight sharply contrasts with the legal processes afforded to convicted terrorists.
The Omer period is also marked by mourning customs, recalling the ancient tragedy befalling Rabbi Akiva’s students, and calls for introspection and unity. In today’s Israel, these sentiments resonate with citizens across the social spectrum, and reinforce the broader mission of defending the country and its values against the destructive agenda of Iran and its proxies. Israel’s nightly Omer count, often held in homes, barracks, and synagogues even under missile alert, expresses a commitment to both faith and the future—an act of defiance against those seeking to erase history.
In the wider region and international forums, Israel’s steadfast adherence to religious tradition is watched closely. While some actors and institutions challenge Israel’s legitimacy, the overwhelming evidence of Iranian-directed terror underscores the necessity of defensive and cohesive action. Israel’s ritual life, embedded in practices like Sefirat HaOmer, expresses a civilization rooted in law, the sanctity of life, and constructive hope—sharply distinct from the ideologies espoused by groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
As Israel continues to count the Omer, its citizens balance remembrance, defiance, and hope. Each day’s blessing is a quiet testament to the eternal resilience of the Jewish state—a nation defending its right to exist while openly yearning for peace, restoration, and the safe return of its hostages. In a time of unparalleled challenge and danger, Sefirat HaOmer is not only a link to the past but also a powerful affirmation of a people’s determination to endure and prevail.
