I have a confession to make: I have never made it all the way through counting the Omer at the proper time, Passover to Shavuot. This year I’m going to do it (she says, feeling a little like Charlie Brown facing Lucy and the football one more time).
The #BlogExodus project gave me an idea, though: I’m going to blog the Omer. Today I’m announcing my intent to do this thing. Last night I counted Day One of the Omer, but since it was the second day of Passover, I figured I’d wait to blog it until the yomtov [holy day] was over. With the next post, I’ll begin looking at Pirkei Avot, a rabbinic text that we traditionally study this time of year. Occasionally I may have something else on my mind but the point is, this year I will (1) say the blessing (2) count the day of the omer and (3) post something to this blog. If I have to choose, (1) and (2) will take precedence. I’m hoping that the commitment to do something public in connection with it will generate sufficient Jewish guilt or shame to get me there.
You see, rabbis struggle with observance too. For years I have struggled privately, but this year I am going to struggle in public, with an eye to improving my observance and maybe also to let others who struggle have some company. I try my best to observe the mitzvot, and sometimes I succeed. Other times I fall short. Then I try again.
Last night I counted at the community seder at Temple Sinai. Tonight I counted here at my home.
May this year the the year I finally manage to stay mindful enough to do it!
