UNLEARN THE LIES - HOW DO WE COUNT THE OMER TO SHAVUOT?

Published on Apr 16, 2017
There is some confusion about counting the omer to Shavuot (or Pentecost). There are some who begin counting on the 16th day of the first month every year. They say that is the day after the Sabbath. However, we are given two specific ways to determine the date for the Feast of Weeks.

"And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to Yahweh."
- Leviticus 23:15-16

Our count should always place us on the day after the seventh Sabbath. This means Shavuot is always on the first day of the week, because it will always follow the seventh Sabbath. This also means that you must begin counting from the day after the first Sabbath following Passover. This day is the day the wave offering is brought, typically referred to as FirstFruits. The wave offering is always on the first day of the week as well, because it is the day following the Sabbath.

If you begin your count on the 16th day then your 50th day is not always on the day following the seventh Sabbath. For example, if the 16th is on a Wednesday, then you count 50 days, and you land on a Wednesday, which is not the day after the seventh Sabbath. However, if you begin your count on Sunday (the day after the Sabbath), and you count 50 days, you always land on the day after the seventh Sabbath.

I hope that clears up some of the confusion.

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