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What Even is Shavuot?

Author

Stephanie Goldfarb

Date

May 20, 2026

Well… first we need to talk about Passover:

Passover is a holiday that begins with oppression, slavery, and what we refer to poetically as “narrow places.” The Hebrew word for Egypt, where the Israelites escaped from, is the word Mitzrayim, which translates literally to “the narrow places.” The Passover story tells us how the Israelites miraculously escaped Mitzrayim. But the story doesn’t tell us what happened after they crossed the sea…

The Israelites weren’t totally in the clear after escaping the narrow place of Egypt. They had to make a journey through the desert toward what they hoped would be a safer place, a “promised land” where they could be free. On their way, they pitched their tents at the base of a mountain called Sinai. There, exactly 50 days after the Israelites fled Egypt, they received the Torah, the foundational intellectual, legal, and spiritual basis of Judaism. That day is called Shavuot, which translates to “The Feast of Weeks” because it occurs exactly seven weeks after Passover.

One more step before we get to Shavuot! In between Passover and Shavuot, each day is counted as part of Sefirat HaOmer, a ritual counting of each day leading up to the giving of the Torah.

So that’s why Shavuot is such a big deal. 

Shavuot is the day when the Jewish people received the Torah – our central source of sustenance and map for our peoplehood. It marks the exact moment when the Israelites transformed from a band of wandering refugees escaping Egypt (in Hebrew, Mitzrayim, literally meaning a “narrow place”) into a people with self-determination, a collective purpose, a promised land (Israel), a communal identity, and a covenant with one God. Shavuot marks the day we transitioned from a scrappy start-up concept to an enterprise. 

It is said that all Jews who ever were, are, and will be (and it’s important to note this includes Jews by choice) were present at Mount Sinai during this moment of revelation. So if you identify as a Jew, check your metaphysical memory and see if you can find yourself in the crowd!

But how do we actually celebrate Shavuot? Two of the most popular Shavuot traditions:

1. Learning and teaching: In honor of receiving Torah at Mount Sinai, some folks stay up all night learning and teaching. What people choose to learn or teach varies from community to community, but it’s traditional to focus on Jewish topics and themes. 
2. Eating dairy products: There are several reasons why Shavuot is often referred to as “the cheesecake holiday.” The first reason is poetic: Israel is referenced in the Torah as “a land flowing with milk and honey.” And since Shavuot is all about Torah, it’s only right to eat or drink some milk products, right? The second reason is logistical. Prior to receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai, there was no such thing as “keeping kosher.” Those laws literally were not a part of Jewish consciousness yet! But after Sinai, suddenly there were rules about what and how to eat. Some of those rules, which still exist today, mandate separating milk products from meat products. So the story goes that when the Jews returned to their camps after receiving the Torah, they ate a celebratory dairy meal in order to avoid cross-contamination with any meat products laying around, thus abiding by the brand new dietary rules stipulated in the Torah.

Making meaning of Shavuot:

In ancient times, Shavuot marked the start of the season for bringing bikkurim, first fruits, to the Holy Temple. A primary theme of bikkurim is thankfulness, appreciating the good we are given. In Hebrew, this is known as hakarat hatov, or recognizing the good. For many, accessing gratitude and appreciation for the “good” can feel difficult with the challenges that the Jewish people are facing around the world. Below, we offer the following suggestions to embody gratitude in hard moments:

• Reflect on your ability to feel gratitude amid sorrow or pain. What is the quality of the gratitude that you are able to experience? What might you do or think about in order to recognize blessings in your life?
• As a practical way to experience and embody hakarat hatov during Shavuot, write at least one hand-written note of love or appreciation for a friend or family member and deliver it in person. 
• Some people decorate their homes with greenery and flowers in remembrance of the custom of bikkurim. Consider buying a store-bought bouquet of flowers, or even go on a wildflower-picking adventure, and meditate on gratitude whenever you walk by these flowers in your home.

Words of wisdom on finding yourself at Sinai:

“Shavuot not only commemorates the experience of our ancestors receiving Torah at Mount Sinai, it invites us to inhabit this sacred process of reception ourselves. In Judaism, revelation is an ongoing process in which our learning, commentary, and insights are essential.” –Excerpted from “Shavuot and the Sacred Process of Becoming” by Adina Allen

“The rabbi of Kotzk was asked: “Why is Shavuot called ‘the time the Torah was given’ rather than the time we received the Torah?” He answered: “The giving took place on one day, but the receiving takes place at all times.” -Excerpted from “Tales of the Hasidim” by Martin Buber

Questions to guide you this Shavuot:

• In which ways have you spent the last seven weeks of your life in a state of “wandering”? Do you have a sense about where your journey might be leading you?
• Do you feel you are moving toward a moment of revelation in your life? Who or what is guiding your way?
• Do you currently have a practice of learning and engaging with Jewish thought? How, if at all, might you like to initiate or deepen that practice? 

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What Even IS Purim? Part Two: How is Purim celebrated?

Author

Stephanie Goldfarb

Date

February 27, 2026

Welcome to part two of our two-part series, “What Even Is Purim?” where we explore the history and traditions behind the Jewish holiday of Purim. Missed the first part and want to learn more? Check out part one.

This week, Jewish people around the world will celebrate Purim, commemorating the deliverance of the Jews of ancient Persia from persecution. In the first part of this series, we learned about the story of the holiday and explained why we love it so much! This final story in the series explores the various ways people celebrate Purim – and may even give you some new ideas!

• Cooking and eating foods containing hidden fillings: Whether it’s Ashkenazi hamantaschen, Iraqi cheese sambusak, or Spanish Ojos de Haman, these treats emphasize the themes of “concealment” and “revelation” inherent to the Purim story.
• Dressing up: The Purim story reminds us of “hidden” miracles and “concealed” truths.  To celebrate those things, we hide ourselves by dressing up in costumes, appearing as something else, while our true selves remain hidden underneath the masquerade.
• Listening to the Purim story: The centerpiece of the communal Purim celebration is a reading of the Scroll of Esther, in Hebrew called the Megillah. This is a raucous affair, and attendees are invited to make noise every time Haman’s name is mentioned, so no one can hear it. 
• Giving gifts both to friends and to folks in need: The origin of this practice can be found in the Book of Esther 9:22. Jews are instructed to observe Purim “as days of feasting and merrymaking and as an occasion for sending gifts to one another and presents to the poor.” It’s common for people to send Purim packages of yummy food called mishloach manot to friends as a way to uplift the joy of the holiday. Some also have a custom of giving money directly to needy people they pass by on Purim, and/or making a focused effort to financially support organizations and causes they care most about.
• Enjoying a festive meal: The Purim feast is held in memory of the feast held by Esther  for King Achashverosh as a part of her plot to reveal Haman’s plan to annihilate the Jews. A lavish meal is the perfect way to commemorate Jewish resilience because it’s pleasurable and joyous. 
• For some, drinking alcohol: Some folks have a custom to drink until you don’t know (ad lo yada) the difference between barukh Mordecai v’arur Haman (blessed be Mordecai and cursed be Haman). This is not an invitation to drink uncontrollably, but rather, to become happily tipsy. Not only can alcohol add to frivolity, it highlights how alcohol contributed to Esther’s successful plan to expose Haman. If you are of legal drinking age but avoiding alcohol for any reason, it is against Jewish law to drink it on Purim (or on any other day for that matter). Maintaining healthy boundaries and prioritizing wellness is always prioritized over observing Jewish traditions or rituals, and as noted above, there are many other ways to celebrate Purim meaningfully without alcohol! 

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What Even IS Purim? Part One: The Story Behind the Holiday

Author

Stephanie Goldfarb

Date

February 27, 2026

Welcome to part one of our two-part series, “What Even Is Purim?” where we explore the history and traditions behind the Jewish holiday of Purim. Interested in learning more? Check out part two.

This week, Jewish people around the world will celebrate Purim, a holiday commemorating the deliverance of the Jews of ancient Persia from persecution. In part one of this two-part series, ����vlogl is exploring the story behind the holiday – and why we love it so much!

When does the story of Purim take place? Sometime between 539–330 BCE.

Where? Ancient Persia. More specifically, the city of Susa (also called Shushan in some Purim stories, which is modern southwest Iran). Pro tip: Purim is one of the only Jewish holidays commemorating events happening outside the Land of Israel!

The setting: What was it like being Jewish in this place and time? There were many thriving Jewish communities in Persia at this time and Jews enjoyed full citizenship. However, while Jews were legally allowed to lead Jewish lives, many Jews experienced oppression and persecution.

An extremely short version of the Purim story: A young Jewish woman named Esther rose to power by concealing her Jewish identity and marrying the Persian king. At the time, Jewish persecution was a major issue for Jews in Persia, and Esther never would have been able to assume this level of power if she was a Jew publicly. In fact, the king’s right-hand man, named Haman, was actively working on a plot behind his back to decimate Jewish communities. Esther’s uncle Mordecai overheard the details of this heinous plot and knew Esther was the only Jewish person in a position of power who could possibly intervene. Mordecai convinced Esther to risk her life by revealing her true identity to the king and revealing Haman’s evil plot. The king, who loved Esther, stopped Haman from pursuing his mission, and executed Haman in a public trial as a demonstration for his intolerance for Jew hatred. In the end, the Jewish community was saved and also afforded extra protection by royal decree.

Some cool aspects of Purim & why we love it so much:

• The themes of “concealing and revealing one’s true nature” are prevalent both in the Purim story, and in the traditional ways we celebrate it. For example, Esther conceals and then reveals her Jewish identity in order to save her people. Additionally, the character of God is “concealed” and God’s name is not mentioned once in the entire Book of Esther (although from a Jewish perspective, God is the one who is pulling the strings of redemption behind the scenes). For these reasons, Purim is an invitation to dress up in costume as a way to “come out” and reveal typically hidden or unseen aspects of ourselves. Additionally, the theme of “celebrating our inner truths” is one reason why Purim has become a particularly resonant holiday for folks in the LGBTQ community. 
• This story is one of the most beloved in the Jewish community because it positions Jews as powerful agents of their own destinies, rather than as victims of persecution. 
• The Purim story is one of only a handful of canonical Jewish stories that heavily feature the complex lives, perspectives, and actual voices of women.
• Purim is an opportunity to center feminism! Esther faces limitations based on her gender, and understands that women in her society are expected to be seen and used, but not heard. While she doesn’t challenge these social norms outright, she plays the long game and uses her wit and allure as a woman to her advantage. Ultimately, because she plays into the gender role assigned to her without overtly threatening the men in power, Esther is able to overcome social limitations and save the Jewish people. Today, she is considered a heroine worthy of celebration and admiration.  

In part two of this series, we’ll explore the various ways Purim is celebrated!

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WTSeder?! Everything You Ever Wanted to Know ����vlog Passover: Part One

Author

Stephanie Goldfarb

Date

April 8, 2025

First things first: What even IS a Seder?

Every year, Jewish people tell and retell the miraculous story of the enslaved Israelites’ exodus from Egypt during a festive meal called a Seder (Say-der). In Hebrew, the word Seder means order. A Seder is a structured, home-based ritual that combines a series of choreographed rituals with education, food, singing and storytelling, all in a particular order of stage directions. Intentionally designed to engage people of all ages, Seders are held on the first and second night of Passover (this year on April 12 and 13!). 

With delicious food and drink, a good story, and deep conversation, it’s no wonder Passover is the most widely celebrated Jewish holiday in the world! Read on to learn more about the ritual, what you may want to put on the table – and a cheat sheet with directions on organizing your Passover Seder!

WTHaggadah?!

Over time, the Passover ritual was expanded and eventually written down in what we call the haggadah (hah-gah-dah), the book of Passover Seder choreography we still use today! The Hebrew word haggadah means “the telling,” which is an appropriate name for a script that tells the Passover story. 

While virtually every haggadah follows the same order, there are many ways to tell the same story and just as many points of view. That is why there are literally hundreds of different hagaddot (plural form of haggadah). It can be overwhelming, but it also means you can find a version that suits you.

Some holy bites:

The Seder plate is a visual representation of the Israelites’ enslavement and liberation from Egypt. It has special spaces to hold symbolic foods that each tell different parts of the Passover story.

Maror (bitter herbs): Representing the bitterness of slavery, Maror is an uncomfortably bitter and sometimes spicy herb or vegetable. Horseradish is commonly used, but fresh radishes, spicy peppers, and even wasabi can be used too.

Zaroa (shank bone): This is symbolic of the biblical spring sacrifice of a young lamb called Pesach (Pay-sakh). People substitute other bones (e.g. a chicken neck or a leg) and vegetarians use a red beet or a sweet potato.

Beitza (roasted egg): Another spring symbol, representing the renewal of life. It also marks the birth of Israelites as a free people. Roasting recalls the ancient sacrificial practices in Jerusalem.

Chazeret (bitter greens): Romaine lettuce, endives, or chicory are used as a second symbol of bitterness sometimes used when making a sandwich with matzo.

Charoset (mortar): This fruit and nut mix may taste sweet, but its name is derived from the Hebrew word for clay. Charoset represents the mortar used by pyramid-building enslaved Israelites.

Karpas (parsley): It can be any leafy green, but often is parsley. It is symbolic of the rebirth of spring and the flourishing of the Israelites  prior to their enslavement in Egypt. It is dipped into saltwater or vinegar to remember the freshness of freedom and the sting of tears from oppression.

Why is this plate different?

As we retell the Passover story, we are encouraged to interpret traditions and to find relevance in the time in which we live. One way of doing that is to connect contemporary events to the themes of Passover by placing new symbols on the Seder plate. Here are a few examples of contemporary symbolic foods you may see on seder plates – you are invited to take inspiration and add symbols with personal resonance for you as well! Note that many Jewish communities are finding ways to acknowledge both October 7 and the hostages still being held in captivity. For example, Rabbi Elie Kaunfer placing less matzo at the table to signal the absence of the hostages. Other ideas included putting empty seats representing October 7 victims, hostages, and soldiers around the table, and even the haggadah text. 

An orange: One of the first historically-recorded Seder plate innovations, it has become a way to honor those who have been excluded from the Jewish community, especially women and LGBTQ people. This symbol has also evolved to be a symbol of including women in the rabbinate.

Ruth’s mix: Almonds, raisins and chocolate:  Honoring Ruth, who married and/or converted into the Jewish people, this mix acknowledges that the Jewish community is sweeter by the presence and celebration of all Jews, Jews by choice, interfaith families, and our cherished allies.

An olive:  The olive branch has been a symbol of peace since the time of Noah. Some people place an olive on the Seder plate in hopes of a time when Israelis and Palestinians live together in peace.

A tomato:  In solidarity with migrant farmworkers, some add a tomato to symbolize support for an end to modern-day slavery in our fields and a call for fair wages and safe working conditions.

An acorn:  Some Jews include an acorn as a way to uplift indigenous land acknowledgments at our seders. It is a reminder to understand the oppression that occurred in the locations where we live/work/learn, a call to repair, and a recognition that modern-day comforts sometimes lie on the foundations of historic suffering.

A lock and key:  Representing the brokenness of our justice system, the lock and key are a literal reminder of how racial bias and unfair practices in our legal system have resulted in mass incarceration. 

Aside from the Seder plate, there are several more ritual objects on the festive Passover table:

Wine or juice: Four cups per person, to be exact. Each cup marks a different transition in the Seder.

Kiddush cup: Used to make blessings over the wine.

Nerot/candles: We sanctify the holiday by lighting festival candles and saying a special blessing.

Afikomen/hidden dessert: The middle matzo is split in two and the larger half is hidden. At the end of the meal, children (of all ages) are invited to search for it and retrieve it for a prize. Traditionally the Seder cannot resume until the Afikomen is returned and eaten – all before midnight!

Seder plate: Contains all the ritual foods used throughout the Seder

Elijah’s (empty) chair and cup of wine or juice: The prophet Elijah is attributed to bringing about the World to Come, a time of redemption and liberation for all. This spirit of hope is invited to join the Seder as we open the door to figuratively “welcome” Elijah. Elijah also gets his very own cup of wine or juice, creatively called “Elijah’s cup.”

Matzo/unleavened bread: Often the star of the evening, matzo has its own special plate or tray where three pieces of matzo are stacked. The middle matzo is broken and the larger piece (the afikomen) gets hidden somewhere in the house to be found later. Matzo is a symbol of both oppression (the bread of the poor) and liberation (the bread the Israelites ate as they escaped from Egypt to freedom).

Miriam’s cup: Miriam, the prophetess, is associated with water because she watched over her baby brother, Moses, as he floated down the Nile, led the women during the parting of the sea, and according to Jewish legend, she became the bearer of a well that nourished and healed the Israelites on their wilderness journey. It has become a modern ritual to place a cup of water on the Seder table in her honor.

Your Seder cheat sheet: All the Passover choreography and stage directions in one place!

1. Kadesh: We begin with a blessing over a cup of wine (or grape juice) to sanctify the holy day! Pace yourself, there will be a total of 4! L’chaim
2. ����’c�󲹳ٳ�: A ritual hand-washing without the blessing. Sometimes the leader does this symbolically for everyone. It feels good to start the seder fresh.
3. Karpas: In honor of springtime and the freshness of freedom, we take a green vegetable or herb (commonly parsley), offer a blessing, and eat. Remember, friends do not let friends speak with greens caught in their teeth!
4. Yachatz: Called “The Bread of Affliction,” we hold up the three matzot for this part of the ritual. The leader breaks the middle matzo and places the larger half aside for the afikomen, the piece of matzo that is hidden and eaten as “dessert.”
5. Maggid: This section means “the telling” and is the main event! We begin to tell the story of the Exodus, learn about the rituals of Passover, and have conversations at the table. It is a time for questions, including the famed Four Questions, sometimes sung by the youngest person at the table. Alongside the traditional components, this is often where people bring creativity by acting out plays or trying some communal storytelling. Some even use props to help bring the teachings to life and make the Seder memorable. The second cup of wine is also blessed during this section.
6. Rachtzah: This is a second hand washing, with a blessing, before the ritual eating of the matzo.
7. Motzi and matzo: If one blessing is good, two is better. We bless and eat the matzo, first with the blessing for all types of bread and then a special blessing just for matzo.
8. Maror: The bitter herbs remind us of the suffering of the Israelites’ enslavement. We say a blessing as we eat it, some choose to dip the bitter herbs in the sweet tasting charoset.
9. Shulchan orech: Dinner time!
10. Korech (Hillel’s sandwich. Shoutout to Hillel, the ancient sage our entire movement is named after!): One of the many things Hillel was known for was taking what he thought were the three most important symbols, the lamb, the bitter herbs, and the matzo, and combining them into a Pesach sandwich! With no lamb, we add the bitter herbs (some use the green bitter herb, Hazeret), haroset and matzo. Consider it the first appetizer!
11. Tzafun: The Afikomen (which reappears from Yachatz) must be eaten for the Seder to continue. With no sacrifices, ritually eating it represents the Pesach sacrifice. Often hidden, children (of all ages) search it out and receive a prize for its return. A small piece is eaten and the seder continues. The Seder is almost over.
12. Barech: We offer a blessing for the festival meal and drink a third cup of wine. Open the door for the prophet Elijah and welcome in the spirit of Miriam.
13. Hallel: This section includes many traditional psalms that are sung, and some contemporary Jews add and/or exchange modern songs about freedom and liberation (Bob Marley anyone?). The last cup of wine is also blessed during this section.
14. Nirtzah: Hopefully when you reach this point, you will have enjoyed good friends, good conversation, and good food! We typically conclude with the words, ”L’shana haba’a b’Y’rushalayim!” meaning “Next year in Jerusalem!”

In part two of this series, we’ll explore the origins of Passover!

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WTSeder?! Everything You Ever Wanted to Know ����vlog Passover: Part Two

Author

Stephanie Goldfarb

Date

April 8, 2025

As Jewish people around the world observe Passover this month, we’re diving into the origins of the holiday. In the first part of this series, we learned about how to host a Seder – now we’re exploring where Passover comes from, and who decided it was a thing? 

The way we observe Passover today has changed and evolved significantly since Biblical times when the holy day was first mentioned. Check out this timeline to learn more!

Sometime between 1300-1200 BCE: On the first full moon of the first month of spring (the 15th of the Hebrew month of Nisan), Jews from all over gathered at the Great Temple in Jerusalem where they made animal sacrifices, and noshed on lamb and unleavened bread (matzo) for one week. This pilgrimage ritual was rooted in ancient Israelite agrarian springtime rituals involving moving flocks of lambs to greener pastures, and praying for the return of post-winter harvest bounties. The biblical story of the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt resonated strongly with Jewish people of this time, especially after the Babylonians invaded Jerusalem and destroyed the Great Temple. As a story about overcoming oppression and liberation, this hopeful message hit home for the Jewish people who suddenly lost their spiritual home. As a result, the Exodus story became intrinsically associated with existing springtime rituals of sacrificing lambs and eating unleavened bread.

700-586  BCE: The Jews returned to Jerusalem and rededicated the Great Temple. There, they reestablished Passover as newly liberated people. The priests of this time made some changes to the Passover ritual too. Each head of the household was charged with making the Pesach lamb offering at home. In addition to the feast, they added songs of praise and joy, and paired wine with the celebration. Permission was granted to observe Passover anywhere in Jerusalem, not just in the Temple.

516 BCE: The Jews were once again exiled from Jerusalem and the Second Temple was destroyed under an oppressive rule. Passover, as it had been celebrated, was never observed the same way again. In response to the destruction, a group of innovative rabbis created a new approach to Judaism that didn’t center around the Great Temple. Many of their adaptations radically changed Judaism, and became the foundation for the way it is still observed today. The rabbis discussed how to observe Passover, in what order, and found creative ways of translating all the springtime rituals that used to occur in the Great Temple into people’s homes. This meant officially banning animal sacrifices, making Passover a home-based ritual, and positioning regular Jews (not rabbis or priests) as the leaders of the Seder.

70 CE: Isaac’s descendants (by then known as the Children of Israel) were enslaved in Egypt. God instructed Moses and Aaron to repeatedly ask Pharaoh to release the people of Israel; each time Pharaoh refused, another plague was brought upon the Egyptians. Finally, as God was about to bring the final plague — the death of the firstborn son — He instructed Moses to tell the people of Israel to prepare by slaughter a sheep and smear the blood on their doorposts, a sign to G‑d that this was an Israelite home, to be passed over. This is what gave the Passover sacrifice (and holiday) its name. In the original Hebrew, the word is Pesach (first mentioned in Exodus 11). God instructed to Moses that, “This day shall be to you one of remembrance: you shall celebrate it as a festival to יהוה throughout the ages; you shall celebrate it as an institution for all time” (Exodus 14).

Passover today: Today, Passover is statistically the most widely-observed Jewish holiday in the world. The Seder meal that typically takes place in the home has not changed much over the last dozen centuries! However, many people have been inspired to create updated versions of the traditional haggadah in accordance with personal values associated with Passover themes of justice, liberation, freedom, and redemption. 

Like always, Passover is an opportunity for families and friends to join together to celebrate and acknowledge the liberation and freedom of the Jewish people. Some members of the Jewish community (usually Reform and Reconstructionist Jews, and Jews in Israel) celebrate the holiday for seven days, and others (usually Conservative and Orthodox Jews) for eight days. 

Today, many people ritually deep clean their homes, cars, and offices in preparation for Passover. Some view Passover as an invitation to do “spiritual spring cleaning” designed to help us release what hasn’t served us over the last year, and to make room for new blessings.

As with every year, Passover includes two powerful rituals of grief: dipping a leafy green into salt water and removing ten drops of wine from our cups. With salt water, we stop to imagine the tears of our enslaved ancestors. With red drops of wine, we stop to have empathy for the sufferings of our enemies. This Passover, we gather in the wake of the October 7 attacks, remembering the victims and the hostages still being held in captivity in Gaza. May we be granted the opportunity to hold the teachings of Passover and the dissonances of the present moment in ways that help us become people of greater heart and hope, seeking liberation and safety for all.

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What Even IS the Omer?! Ancient Spiritual Refinement for Modern Times

Author

Stephanie Goldfarb and Liora Knizhnik

Date

April 25, 2024

What is the Counting of the Omer? The Omer is a period of seven weeks, or forty-nine days, from the second Passover Seder to the summer holiday of Shavuot. This year, the Omer period runs from the evening of April 23 to June 11. When we say we “count” the Omer, we really mean counting out loud all of those 49 days sequentially with special blessings. 

Since October 7, many of us have been counting the days that hostages have been held in Gaza. As Pesach continues and more than 130 people have remained captive for more than 200 days, adding the practice of counting the Omer brings a stark reminder of how long the hostages have been praying for release. While we know that counting the Omer will end on the 49th day, as we celebrate Shavuot and the revelation of the Torah at Sinai, we count days without an end to captivity in sight for the hostages.

Why is counting the Omer significant? 

• Agriculturally: This period of time marks a transitional moment from season to season, spring to summer. Thousands of years ago when the Temple still stood in Jerusalem, this was the period of time when Jews brought their new barley crops as a sacrificial offering. The word omer literally means “sheaf” and refers to these early offerings.
• Biblically: The Omer period connects the anniversary of the Exodus from Egypt (Passover) with the festival that commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai (Shavuot). Tradition teaches us that enslaved Israelites were so comforted by the promise of receiving the Torah 50 days after fleeing Egypt that they began to count the days, saying each time, “Now we have one day less to wait for the giving of the Torah.” Miraculously, this promise was kept, and the Omer period has since symbolized the eagerness with which the Torah was received by the Israelites.
• Practically: Jewish wisdom teaches us that seasonal shifting is a profound opportunity to check in on our relationships with ourselves, with the people in our lives, and with the world around us. As the world turns, so do we and so do our relationships! 
• On a metaphysical level: It is said the Omer period is also a special opportunity to connect to the divine through many different mystical channels. 

What’s the deal with all the colors, values, and names of people? 

Jewish mystics imagined God as having multiple faces or attributes called sefirot, including chesed (love or expansiveness), gevurah (strength, severity, or judgment), etc. The mythic characters of the Torah represent these attributes. For example, Abraham represents chesed, while Esther represents malchut (majesty, and the presence of the indwelling feminine face of God known as the Shekhinah). Some Jews who studied the kabbalistic system saw the counting of the Omer as a way to meditate on seven of these sefirot and include them in one’s own life. 

But people aren’t the only ones who contain these qualities. Mystically speaking, so do colors, foods, and even parts of the body! One modern understanding is that each of us embodies the divine in a unique way. Through understanding that God appears in many different earthly outlets, we can move beyond the idea that God is only one thing — only a father, only a king, only male, has human features — and come to understand that God moves through our world in multiple ways.

A time of emotional complexity 

On the one hand, the Omer period is a time to connect deeply to the divine and to celebrate a daily escalation of closeness with the Torah. On the other hand, many massacres recorded in Jewish history purportedly took place in the spring months:

• The first spring tragedy began with the martyrdom of Rabbi Akiva and his students and continued through the three Crusades (1096-1192). 
• The last great deportation to the gas chambers, that of the Hungarian Jews, took place during the period of the counting of the Omer.
• The Israeli Knesset named the 27th day of Nisan as a national Memorial Day (Yom Hashoah) for those slaughtered by the Nazis during World War II. 
• In addition, the day before Israel Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzmaut) is called Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) for those who died in the War of Liberation. 

These sad events are traditionally memorialized by refraining from participation in joyous events during the Omer period. According to the Code of Jewish Law, Orakh Hayim 493:2, no weddings should take place, and it is customary not to cut one’s hair with one exception: Lag B’Omer, the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer, is observed as a semi-holiday, and suspends many of the mourning customs for 24 hours of the Omer period.

Some ways to observe the Omer period this year:

• Count! Begin counting on the evening of April 23rd. You can learn how to count the Omer on and you can download apps on your phone () or even visit a to find all the blessings to count every night.
• Turn inward: For the kabbalists (Jewish mystics), the Omer period became an ideal time for introspection and self-perfection, with each week in the process dedicated to one of the sephirot, or cosmic aspects of being – Pure Giving; Boundaries; Balance; Eternality; Ephemerality; Bonding; and Manifestation. Consider adopting a 49-day journaling practicefrom the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks) during the Omer and reflect on these qualities for a few minutes each morning.
• Learn something new: The Omer is a wonderful invitation to start a new practice or establish new connections with your spiritual self. Check out to get some ideas for how to connect this season.
• Give tzedakah: While there is never a bad time to support the causes you care most about, the Omer period is an auspicious moment to invest in the world you want to live in.

Decrease in joy: Some folks have the custom of avoiding hair cuts (including shaving and waxing), using perfumes, listening to live music, and even attending parties during the Omer period as a way to connect to the historical sadness of the moment. Others make an extra intention to refrain from telling jokes, watching funny shows or movies, or eating luxurious meals. What might it be like for you to tap into these customs as a way to deepen your own Omer experience?

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News

Perplexed about Passover? We’ve Got You Covered

Author

Stephanie Goldfarb

Date

March 29, 2023

With good food, good drink, an epic story, and lively conversation, it’s no wonder is one of the most celebrated Jewish holidays in the world. This year, Passover begins on the evening of April 5th, and ends on April 13th. Here are some common Passover customs and rituals, including some helpful hints for celebrating Passover on campus:

����vlog the Passover Seder:

Every year, Jewish people tell and retell the miraculous story of the enslaved Israelites’ exodus from Egypt during a festive meal called a Seder (Say-der). In Hebrew, Seder means order. In other words, a Seder is a ritual that combines education, food, singing and storytelling, all in a particular order. Intentionally designed to engage people of all ages, Seders are held on the first and second night of Passover (in Israel, Seders are only held on the first night of Passover).

Passover Themes to Think ����vlog:

Justice: Passover is an opportunity to reflect on our personal relationships with freedom, liberation, and systems of oppression. We pose questions such as, “In what ways do I – or others in my community – continue to seek full freedom and liberation?” Or, “What responsibilities come with the freedoms I enjoy?“

Friends & Family: Like most Jewish holidays, Passover is typically celebrated together with the people closest to us. Together, we delight in conversation, singing, enjoying good food, and story-telling.

Spiritual Spring Cleaning: Spring-cleaning is an important theme of Passover. Many people deep clean their homes, cars, and offices in preparation for the holiday. Additionally, many folks view Passover as an invitation to do “spiritual spring cleaning” designed to help us release what hasn’t served us over the last year, and to make room for new blessings.

Holy Bites: It wouldn’t be a Jewish holiday without lots of great food! Jews all over the world celebrate Passover with special dishes unique to their family traditions. Additionally, some Passover foods hold special ritual significance, such as matzah (mah-tsah, a flat, cracker-like bread), charoset (kha-ro-set, a paste made from dried fruits, wine, and nuts), and bitter herbs like horseradish.

Celebrating Passover on Campus

Attending a Seder or celebrating Passover on campus this year? Here are a few tips and tricks for celebrating Passover or supporting someone you know in their celebration:

Ask Questions! A big part of Passover is asking questions. If you’d like to learn more about Passover, Hillel staff are always there to discuss your questions, big and small. 

Learn the Lingo: The common way to wish someone a happy holiday during Passover is “Happy Passover!” You can also say “Happy Pesach!” (Pesach, or pay-sah-kh is the Hebrew name for Passover.)

Notice Your Menu: It is customary to avoid eating “leavened” food during Passover. This includes bread, pasta, and other grains. Some folks will only eat certified “kosher for Passover” items during Passover. If you’re attending a Seder and wondering what you can bring as a gift, whole, fresh fruit is a great option!

We hope this guide is helpful and we’re wishing you all a Happy Passover filled with friends, family, and lotsa matzah! 

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