Counting the Omer today with inspiration from Naomi Shemer as we anticipate Yom Hazikaron (Israeli Memorial Day) Sunday evening and Yom Ha-atzme-ut (Israeli Independence Day) Monday evening.

The mountain air is clear as water 
The scent of pines around 
Is carried on the breeze of twilight, 
And tinkling bells resound. 

The trees and stones there softly slumber, 
A dream enfolds them all. 
So solitary lies the city, 
And at its heart — a wall.

Oh, Jerusalem of gold, 
and of light and of bronze, 
I am the lute for all your songs. 

The wells are filled again with water, 
The square with joyous crowd, 
On the Temple Mount within the City, 
The shofar rings out loud. 

Within the caverns in the mountains 
A thousand suns will glow, 
We’ll take the Dead Sea road together, 
That runs through Jericho.

But as I sing to you, my city, 
And you with crowns adorn, 
I am the least of all your children, 
Of all the poets born. 

Your name will scorch my lips for ever, 
Like a seraph’s kiss, I’m told, 
If I forget thee, golden city, 
Jerusalem of gold.

Baruch Ata Adonai, Elohenu Melech ha-olam asher kidishanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu al s’firat ha’omer.  Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who makes us holy with sacred actions and enjoins us to count the omer.

Hayom tishah asar yom, shehem shnei shavuot vachamishah yamim la-omer. Today is 19 days which are two weeks and five days of the Omer.

Wishing you a meaningful omer– Your RS Clergy