Still in the afterglow of yesterday’s ruling to strike down Pennsylvania’s ban on same-sex marriage, we just learned that the governor will not appeal!  The rejoicing for this step towards LGBT civil rights now feels even more real.  At this moment in the Omer, we look back from where we came, we look forward to what is yet to achieve, and we stand solidly in the present moment, grateful for what is.

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 shivah ushiloshim yom, shehem chamishah shavuot ushnei yamim la-omer.

Today is 37 days which is 5 weeks and 2 days of the Omer.