Counting Up

Before we answer this question, we need to ask another question: Why didn't Gd give the Torah to the Jews as soon as they left Egypt? Why did He wait 50 days? 

The answer is that when the Jews left Egypt they were on the 49th level of impurity and they weren't spiritually ready to receive the Torah. If Gd had given the Jews the Torah too early, they wouldn't have known how to handle such a precious gift.

We can use this to understand why we count up during the Omer to Shavuot, the 50th day. The time of the Omer has a special potential to help us in our growth process. In fact, each week and each day has a special characteristic that we are supposed to focus on. Each day of the Omer signifies another step in our growth, where we are removing a layer of dirt and revealing our spiritual beauty. Each day moves us closer to our ideal self to make us ready to receive the Torah on Shavuot. So we count up because each day is signifying a higher step on our growth ladder.

The Omer also teaches us that spiritual growth needs to be one step at a time. Only by setting realistic goals and becoming encouraged by our success will we have the stamina to continue growing.

Rabbi Yisrael Salanter (19th century Europe) took upon himself to lead an entire city back to Torah observance. He set up a weekly class and began by telling them, "If you have to work on Shabbat, at least try to minimize the violation." Today this would mean walking instead of driving, or setting your TV on a timer. With this approach, Rabbi Salanter was able over a few years to turn the community around to full Shabbat observance ― one step at a time.

The Kabbalists say that spiritual growth is "two steps forward and one step back." We will inevitably have setbacks. What's important is that we pick ourselves up and keep on trying.

Ideally, at the end of the Omer process on Shavuot we will be ready to receive the Torah through our work in self-improvement. "Shavuot" literally means "weeks," which in and of itself tells us that without the weeks of preparation beforehand, there is no Shavuot. So don't just count the Omer ― make the Omer count.

Happy counting!