Today, as you count the Omer, think about the traditional Jewish idea of redemption (geulah) and how it applies in the world today.  The 7th blessing of the amidah/t’fillah on weekdays asks God to redeem the captives among our people.  Check out this great interview from the Colbert Report about how we can help redeem the Nigerian girls who were captured.

http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/2rgt3x/-bringbackourgirls—rosemary-nyirumbe

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 shiloshim yom, shehem arbah-ah shavuot u’shnai yamim la-omer.

Today is 30 days which are 4 weeks and 2 day of the Omer.