Sefiras Ha’Omer – U’Sefartem Lachem – Toras Shmuel 5630

The experience of redemption from exile during Pesach, subsequent 49 days of refinement and purification, and culmination in receiving the Torah on Shavuos is analogous to the niddah cycle. The process of a niddah’s purification begins when the flow stops; in order for us to begin our refinement we must separate from all sin and unclean activity. A niddah counts her clean days; we must count 49 days. On the last day, the Mikvah provides the final cleansing for a niddah’s impurity; After 49 days, we enter Shavuos which creates a cleansing for us. The peak of this process is the Jewish people’s deepest connection with G-d – the connection of the Torah, which we receive on Shavuous only after this process. So too, the bride unites with her groom.