RAV KOOK ON EMOR Part 2 The Omer Controversy

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. But the Boethusians, a heretical Jewish sect during the Second Temple period, rejected this tradition. In general, the Boethusians did not accept the Oral Law, and favored a more literal understanding of the text. They argued that the Sabbath mentioned in the verse is the seventh day of the week; so the Omer must be offered on the day after the Sabbath, i.e., the first Sunday after Passover. (This dispute also determines the date for Shavuot, since the Shavuot holiday is celebrated seven weeks after the Omer offering.) The objection of the Boethusians cannot be ignored out of hand. Why indeed does the Torah speak of offering the Omer on the day 'after the Sabbath'? If the verse had just used the word 'Passover' or 'holiday,' the whole controversy could have been avoided!