Why do we count the Omer?

The counting of the Omer began last Sunday evening and will continue for seven Sabbaths (50 days) and end on the Feast of Shavuot, that is, Pentecost. This is important because Pentecost marks the anniversary of the ‘Marriage’ Covenant which Israel entered into on Mount Sinai, 50 days after they left Egypt. In Jeremiah 31, God rebukes the Israelites for not keeping their marriage vows with God; going off and ‘prostituting’ themselves with other gods. As a result, the ‘New’ Covenant was prophesied for a future time when God would send His Messiah Son.

This is what God says: “Behold, days are coming”, says God, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not like the covenant I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they broke My covenant, though I was a husband to them, says God.”

“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days” —says God, when “I will put My Torah within them. Yes, I will write it on their heart. I will be their God and they will be My people. No longer will each teach his neighbour or each his brother, saying: ‘Do you know God,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest,” says God.  “For I will forgive their iniquity, their sin I will remember no more.”

Yeshua stood in for Israel and remained faithful to God. He was the only human to ever do so and became the perfect example for all humanity to follow. This is why the Feast of Pentecost is so important, and why Yeshua’s Disciples had to be in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost because the the Holy Spirit would be given and their bond with the Father and Yeshua would be powerful and permanent.

So, if you would like to follow in the footsteps of Yeshua and His Disciples, keep an eye on the calendar and count from Day 1 (after last Shabbat (Saturday evening) – this Sabbath evening will be the start of Day 8.  There is a difference of opinion as to when to start the count, so do a little research yourself and choose for yourself.

We are not presenting a live interview this week, and in its place the video below explains and compares Christian ‘Communion’ to the Hebrew ‘Passover’ ceremony. And because this is the time of Passover, the program has less readings and contains many interesting Passover teachings and general interest topics. 

Shabbat shalom and enjoy the following program.

Natan and Hannah

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On Shabbat we always begin with the Shema, a covenant between God and His people- what we have to do for

God and what He will do for us while we live on His Earth: We cantor the first two lines of the Shema.

These prayers are traditionally spoken out loud. Practice learning and saying these yourself.

The SHEMA,  The AVINU prayer,  The Blessing Over the Children

Prayer Points for Israel and Jerusalem

1. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, it is YHVH’s city. (Psalm 122:6, 1 Kings 11:32, 2 Chr. 3:1; Rev. 21:2)
2. Pray for the quick return of the lost 10 tribes of Israel, as well as the return of all Jewish persons, so Yeshua can return to Jerusalem as their King. (Jeremiah 50: 19-20)
3. Pray blessings over God’s people in Israel, as they are our brothers and sisters of the same Olive Tree, upon which the Gentiles are grafted in. (Romans 11:17-24)
4. Pray for world-wide support for Israel and the Jewish people in these difficult times, along with prayers to repel the adversary and all his efforts to destroy righteousness. (Ephesians 6:12)
5. Pray that all Christians rebuke any who teach Replacement Theology, the notion that the Church has replaced Israel, and transferred the Abrahamic promises to the Church alone. (Genesis 15:18-21)
6. Pray for the protection of the Land of Israel because it is the Promised Land given to Abraham and his descendants. (Joshua 1:2-6, Joshua 21:43)
7. Pray for righteous leadership in Israel, that they submit to YHVH as an example for the people. (Proverbs 29:2, 2 Timothy 2:15, Hebrews 13:17)
8. Pray that all of Israel become Torah observant in preparation for the return of Yeshua. (Jeremiah 31: 31-34, Matthew 5:17-20)
9. Pray for the future messianic reign of Yeshua and the redemption of all mankind during that time. (Obadiah 1:17-21, Isa. 66:5, Rev 16:16)
10. Pray for ministries in Israel and abroad, which teach about the Father and His Son, Yeshua the Messiah. (Gen 12:3, Romans 10:10-17, Romans 16:1)

4. Opening Prayers for this weeks Parsha: 

Opening TORAH Prayer:  Blessed are You, Y’HoVaH our Elohim, King of all existence, who chose us from among all nations and who gave us your Torah. Blessed are You, Y’HoVaH who gives us the Torah. AMEN

(Jeremiah 31:31-34) “Behold, the days are coming,” says Y’HoVaH, “when I will make a Renewed Covenant with the house of Isra’el and with the house of Y’hudah (Judah), ³²“not like the covenant I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” says Y’HoVaH. ³³ “But this is the Covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” says Y’HoVaH, “I will put My Torah within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  No longer will any of them teach his fellow community member or his brother, [do you] ‘know Adonai’?; for all will know me, from the least of them to the greatest; because I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more.” 

(Isaiah 12:2-3) “See! Yah is my salvation; I am confident and unafraid; for Yah Y’HoVaH is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation!” Then you will joyfully draw water from the springs of salvation. “

(Psalm 3:8) Salvation belongs to Y’HoVaH; Your blessing be upon Your people.”

(Psalm 46:7) Y’HoVaH Almighty is with us; the Elohim of Jacob is our refuge.”

We trust that you have enjoyed this program.

Shalom Aleichem: Peace be upon you on this Shabbat.

Natan and Hannah