 403x383.jpg "Omer (sheaf of wheat or barley)")
The òÉîÆø, the firstfruit sheaf of barley, was offered, and waved by the kohein, on the day after the 1st day of Khag ha-Matzot, a special Shabat (wa-Yiqra 23.9ff).
The òÉîÆø was brought to the Beit ha-Miqdash and waved by the kohein on the 16th of Firstmonth (pop. Nisan), i.e. the day after the special Shabat of the first day of Khag ha-Matzot. (Discussion and explanation of the controversy between the Perushim and the "Herodian Perushim" - whether Torah specified the 16th of Firstmonth or Sun-g*o*d-day - is found in The Netzarim Reconstruction of Hebrew Matityahu (22.16.1).
From the waving of the òÉîÆø on the 16th of Firstmonth, Torah required counting — the counting of the 50 days to the òÉîÆø, the 50th day being Khag ha-Shavuot.
Every evening during this 50 days, religious Jews recite the "counting of the òÉîÆø" from the Orthodox Sidur, enumerating the number of the new day (which begins at dusk), throughout the 50 days.
The òîø period (between Pesakh and Shavuot) is a traditional period of mourning (abstention from cutting one's hair, wearing new clothes, from parties, celebrations, weddings and the like). The legend of a plague of Rabbi Aqiva's students during this period is of questionable documentation. Far better documented during this period is the death of Ribi Yәhoshua and his being seen for the last time on shavuot (see The Nәtzarim Reconstruction of Hebrew Matityahu (NHM)).
The agricultural background comes from Nә·ot Qәdumim, the Biblical Landscape Reserve located between Teil Aviv and Yәrushalayim.
"Every year when we count the Omer between Pesakh and shavuot...This time of year is crucial to the two most important agricultural products of ancient times — wheat and olives. If the north wind and the accompanying rains stopped at the right time and the hot south wind started when it was needed, then the crops would flourish and ripen and there would be food and livelihood for the people of Israel. But if the rains continued for too long, the crops could be washed away. And if the hot wind started too early, the stalks would burn and the result would be financial and agricultural disaster and starvation for many. So the farmer could only pray and wait and count as these crucial days passed." (Jerusalem Post Advertising Supplement, 2003.12.12)
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