Sefiras HaOmer: we count and we elevate ...

Finally thru Krias Yam Suf, on dry land, and now busy putting away and enjoying the July weather on this Isru Chag, the 8th day of Sefira. From the night after the second Seder we begin counting each day, in the evening, until we count 49 days up to our receiving the Torah at Har Sinai, which we celebrate on Shavuot. The name Shavuot means 'weeks', and this is the culmination of all the days of counting.

Each week has its own special essence, with each day also its own essence, and this is repeated for seven weeks and 49 days. We try to connect to each day's essence, within the week's special essence, all in an effort to elevate our Neshomos in preparation for receiving our Holy Torah. More on Sefirat HaOmer.

Discovery Of Ancient Biblical Scrolls

NAHAL ARUGOT [...] small pieces of an ancient Torah scroll containing extracts in Hebrew from the biblical book of Leviticus, dating back to the last Jewish revolt against Roman rule in Judea around 135 AD, are shown August 23, 2004 after their discovery by a Bedouin Arab in a cave in Nahal Arugot near the Dead Sea. It is the first time in nearly half a century that documents of this type have been discovered since the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were found between 1952 and 1961 in the same area. These fragments were purchased by Israeli archaeologist Prof. Hanan Eshel who then gave them to the Israeli Antiquities Authority. Photo : Getty Images on Life

On the eighth day of Pesach, which is called Achron shel Pesach, in the afternoon, we gather for Moshiach's Seudah, four cups of wine/grape juice, matza, a little farbrengen, and we dance in anticipation of Moshiach's arrival. The day's reading from the Torah speaks about Moshiach. More here.