Daily Idea #296: Counting

Passover is almost here, and that means we also get to start counting down to the next holiday, Shavuot (where we celebrate receiving the Torah from G-d). Counting the Omer is one of my favorite things in Judaism. When I was little, I would count down to all important celebrations (my birthday, leaving on an exciting trip, camp…) so the idea of counting from Passover to Shavuot brings out the child in me and reminds me how important Shavuot is.

Some years, I have no problem remembering to count all 49 days and other years, I get completely lost in the twenties and then give up. In order to help ameliorate this issue, we are making our own Omer counter.

ITEMS NEEDED:

2 pieces of construction Paper

Printer paper

Markers

Tape or a stapler

On the first page of construction paper measure and mark off 49 boxes. Decorate each box on the piece of construction paper however you’d like. On the second page, decorate it with a large number 50. Then cut out 49 pieces of paper to match the size of the boxes from the printer paper. Each piece of paper will get marked with a number 1-49. Decorate them as you see fit and tape or staple them to each corresponding box on the construction paper. For each day of the Omer, you can then pull off that day that you have counted and when we reach Shavuot, you’ll have a beautiful picture hanging on the 50th day.