JERUSALEM—Every evening across Israel, families, soldiers, and community leaders participate in the ancient tradition of Sefirat HaOmer—the Counting of the Omer—a ritual that links the Jewish people’s past and present through daily recitation of a blessing and the specific day of counting between Passover and Shavuot. This year, the ritual has special resonance, with the population still reeling from the impacts of the deadliest antisemitic massacre since the Holocaust on October 7, 2023, and ongoing threats from Iranian-backed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
The Omer count is rooted in biblical commandments (Leviticus 23:15–16) and originally marked the agricultural season between the barley harvest and Shavuot. Over time, it has become a symbol of spiritual journey and national perseverance, observed in diaspora communities and Israel alike. As Jews count each night—’Today is twenty-one days, which are three weeks, of the Omer’—they not only fulfill a religious obligation but also reinforce communal solidarity in the face of external danger and internal mourning.
In this season, Sefirat HaOmer is being observed by Israelis under extraordinary circumstances. The Hamas-led October 7 massacre, a meticulously planned terror attack launched from Gaza and openly backed by Iran, resulted in over 1,200 Israelis murdered and hundreds taken hostage. Israeli officials have characterized the attack as part of a broader war against the Jewish state orchestrated by Iranian proxies across the region. Military and government statements continue to highlight the existential threat these terrorist networks pose, not only to Israel’s security but to the continuity of Jewish life itself.
The current Omer season, therefore, resonates as a time of both remembrance and resolve. Period customs, such as refraining from certain celebrations and personal grooming, serve as communal expressions of grief for historical tragedies and recent losses, including those killed and abducted since October 2023. National leaders, including the Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have called for resilience and unity, drawing a direct line from ancient hardships to today’s challenges.
Throughout the country, synagogues and households incorporate prayers for the restoration of the Temple and the safe return of hostages—innocent civilians still held by Hamas. The prayers, citing the hope that ‘the Merciful One restore the service of the Temple to its place, speedily in our days,’ reflect an enduring desire for national and spiritual redemption. Israeli officials and rabbis have reiterated the critical moral and legal distinction between abducted hostages, taken in violation of international law, and convicted terrorists whom terrorist groups seek to exchange.
Community leaders report a rise in Omer observance, seen as a source of comfort and collective identity amid wartime insecurity. The ritual is practiced by a broad spectrum of society: parents leading family ceremonies in Tel Aviv apartments, soldiers reciting the blessing from military outposts, and diaspora communities joining virtually in solidarity. This year, increased engagement has been noted not only in religious communities but also among secular Israelis, as the ritual offers structure, hope, and a reaffirmation of national purpose.
The ongoing conflict has also focused worldwide attention on rising antisemitism, with watchdogs and law enforcement agencies documenting increased incidents since the October attack. Israeli government spokespersons describe the Omer as a time to stand against hatred and misinformation, affirming historical ties to the land and countering attempts at delegitimization by Iran and its proxies.
Even as Israel is under threat from rocket attacks originating in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, and faces daily security challenges from Iranian-backed groups, the commitment to religious observance persists. Omer counting has become a symbol of defiance—an assertion that Jewish life and values endure despite adversaries’ efforts to sow fear and division.
In this period of uncertainty, Israel’s nightly observance of Sefirat HaOmer encapsulates the nation’s enduring resilience. Each day counted represents an act of memory, perseverance, and hope for a return to peace and restoration—both spiritual and physical—for the people of Israel.
