RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT Emor: The Omer Controversy(Bonus Preview Sapphire from the Land of Israel A New Light on the Weekly Torah Portion From the Writings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook by Rabbi Chanan Morrison)

When to Bring the Omer? During the Second Temple Period, a fierce controversy raged concerning the date for bringing the springtime offering of barley, called the Omer. (An omer is a measure of volume, between 2 and 4 liters; this was the amount of barley flour baked and then brought in the Temple as a meal offering.) "When you come to the land that I am giving you, and you reap its harvest, you must bring an omer of your first reaping... The kohen shall perform this wave-offering on the day after the Sabbath." (Lev. 23:10-11) The verse says the Omer is to be offered "on the day after the Sabbath" — but which Sabbath? According to the Oral Tradition, this 'Sabbath' is the first day of the Passover holiday. COMING THIS FALL Sapphire from the Land of Israel A New Light on the Weekly Torah Portion From the Writings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook by Rabbi Chanan Morrison.