During the time between the Jewish holiday of Passover and that of the Feast of Pentecost (Shavuos), those of the Jewish faith each day say a blessing: "Blessed are you oh God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer." We then proceed to count the days: "Today is the fourth (or the fifth, sixth, etc.) Day of the Omer." Omer has been defined as the period of the time from leaving the captivity of Egypt (Passover), to the receiving of the Ten Commandments (the Law) on Mt. Sinai 50 days later.

Time cannot be increased or diminished; one cannot truly "lose" time nor "gain" time. What, then, is the purpose of counting time or declaring "today is the fourth day of the Omer," "the fifth day of the Omer," and so forth? It is to indicate the preciousness and great worth of each and every day. This is further emphasized by pronouncing the blessing each day, thus indicating that each day's counting is in fact a separate, distinct recognition of God and all His works, even though today's observance seems to be identical with that of yesterday and tomorrow.

What is called the Sefiras Ha'Omer, the counting of the Omer, teaches us a powerful lesson, that time is precious and that with each day we face a choice. Either the day can remain unconnected with "Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us," or it can be a day dedicated to a higher, spiritual, enlightening purpose, the observation of what is around us and what is the measure of time.

There were two songs not too long ago, "The Best of Times Is Now," from the musical La Cage aux Folles, and "What a Wonderful World" often sung by Louie Armstrong. Each song accented the importance of today as different from the memories of yesterday or the promises of tomorrow.

The directive of the Sefiras Ha'Omer does not allow us the complacency of "I'll have time tomorrow—or the day after." Rather, it teaches that every day is a complete microcosm, a separate world to be conquered with a distinct meaning found within its own blessing. And what about tomorrow? Tomorrow has its own purpose and its own challenge. In fact, it is only through completing the challenge and the prayer of today that each of us is fully equipped to handle the task of elevating the morrow. Just as in counting the Omer, you can say the blessing tomorrow only if you have fulfilled the blessing of today. Each moment, each hour of each day counts, whether it be counting the Omer or fulfilling life itself.

Indeed, the "best of times is now," and we do live in "a wonderful world." So let us use God's gifts wisely. Then each of us, when our day is over, may know we have spent our time fully and lived each day "counting the Omer."

Melville H. Nahin is an attorney in Los Angeles, a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California (1998–99), Past Venerable Master of Los Angeles Valley, present Chairman of Los Angeles Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinic, Past Master Ionic Lodge No. 520 and Southern California Research Lodge, and Chairman of the Board of Governors Shriners Hospitals for Children–Los Angeles Unit.