It says in the Torah that we count "mimacherat ha'Shabbat,"
starting on the day after Passover, 7 weeks. During the 7 weeks,
an Omer offering (omer is a measure) was brought at the Temple.
On the day after the 7 weeks are counted, is the holiday of
Shavuot. Shavuot's date is completely dependant on the 7 week
count from Passover, and the only Jewish holiday that does not
fall on a particular day of a month. The 50 day count is the
origin of the English name Pentecost. Theoretically, it is
possible for Shavuot to fall on the 5th, 6th, or 7th day of
Sivan. But, we now use a calendar established by Hillel the
Elder, where Shavuot always falls on the 6th. Lag B'Omer is the
33rd day of the Omer, the number 33 is written as lamed gimmel
in Hebrew numerals. |
Key
Terns
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Mimacherat ha'shabbat
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Passover - Pesach
-
Counting of the omer- Sfirat
Ha Omer
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Shavuot - (Weeks)
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Pentecost
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Sivan - (Month)
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Hillel the Elder
-
Lag Ba Omer
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Lamed Gimmel - 33 (Hebrew
value)
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