What Is The Omer And Why Are Jews Counting It?

FILE - In this Wednesday, May 6, 2015 file photo, ultra-Orthodox Jewish men gather around a bonfire in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish town of Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv, Israel, during the Lag Ba’Omer holiday, marking the end of a plague said to have decimated Jews during the Roman times.
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men gather around a bonfire in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish town of Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv, Israel, during the Lag Ba'Omer holiday, marking the end of a plague said to have decimated Jews during the Roman times. Oded Balilty / AP Photo
FILE - In this Wednesday, May 6, 2015 file photo, ultra-Orthodox Jewish men gather around a bonfire in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish town of Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv, Israel, during the Lag Ba’Omer holiday, marking the end of a plague said to have decimated Jews during the Roman times.
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men gather around a bonfire in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish town of Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv, Israel, during the Lag Ba'Omer holiday, marking the end of a plague said to have decimated Jews during the Roman times. Oded Balilty / AP Photo

What Is The Omer And Why Are Jews Counting It?

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The Jewish holiday of Passover ended earlier this week. It celebrated freedom from slavery for the Jews in Egypt. 

But another lesser-known practice continues out of Passover. It’s called Counting the Omer. And what was once an ancient harvest ritual has evolved into a very modern way for people of all faiths to increase their self-awareness — and improve their relationships with the people and the world around them.

Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell joins Morning Shift to discuss the history and practice behind the Omer.