How to Make Your Very Own Omer Counter
But it’s not the usual kind of Omer counter. No, with this counter you’ll never forget to count the Omer again, because this one’s got chocolate.
Edible Advent calendars were one of my childhood joys; I no longer count Advent, but I do count the Omer, so why not transfer the concept? Reposting from last year, but this time, before Pesach!!! and with this year’s omer-counting chart.
You will need: kosher-for-Pesach choccies, tissue paper, yarn, scissors, pen.*
Cut squares of tissue paper. I’m using purple over white here. Of course you could also use wrapping paper, fabric, foil, whatever takes your fancy.
Scrunch the paper up around the choccy and tie it with yarn. I’ve got a nice layered purple-and-white look going, by having the inside square, the purple one, be slightly bigger than the white outside one.
Write the numbers 1-49 on the bottoms of the choccy packages, and use the yarn ties to attach them to one long piece of yarn. You could make it more fun (for kids, naturally – right?) by doing them out of order, and/or by having different sorts of choccies in the packages. Or little toys.Then hang it on the wall. It ends up being pretty long, so you might have to loop it festively over something.
Starting at the second seder, after dark each night, count the Omer (helpful chart) and eat your choccy.
And remember to brush your teeth before going to bed.
Counting the Omer was about bringing an offering.
Instead of Chocolate, how about wrapping money – 1 day a penny, 10 days a dime, 25 days a quarter, 49 days a quarter, two dimes, and 4 pennies. Take the bundle and unwrap it – put the money is a special container while saying the blessings (for the days of Shabbat wrap the day before with two days worth). The money is then used for tzedakah with the kavvanah that was developed through your reflection of the 49 days.
Another idea – on the paper/cloth before cutting it into 49 pieces – create a picture, write a blessing or intention, etc… as you count put the pieces together again as a reflection on your intention for inner change to receive the Torah.
Then have some chocolate!
Jesus, YZecherle, why not? because sometimes things should just be fun for fun’s sake. And I won’t remember to count the omer for inner reflection, but I will for chocolate!
I’m going to be making these with my students today! Thanks for the idea & the helpful photos.