Passover left more than the taste of matzo in our mouths, rather a taste of the power of renewal.
The month of Aviv, the Spring season which must herald the arrival of Pesach, unleashes a powerful force evident in the greening of our forests and pastures, the budding and blossoming of our trees, and the sprouting of  seeds in the ground as the dormant life force is awakened.
We have mentioned previously that our chagim have both a historical and  agricultural significance in our lives . The second night of Pesach brought the opportunity to symbolically participate in the korban omer- the offering of the first crop of barley.
This begins a 49 day/7 week count leading up to the festival of Shavuot, where we celebrate receiving our Torah on Mt. Sinai, and also the next special seasonal offering, the Shtei HaLechem, the two loaves of wheat bread, from the new crop.
“You shall count for yourselves, from the day after the day of rest (Pesach) from the day on which you will bring the omer wave-offering, seven complete weeks they shall be,” (Lev. 23:15)
Sefirat HaOmer, the counting of the Omer, has some exciting mystical components that can make the mitzvah come alive, and enrich our lives.
To observe Pesach we removed the chametz, the leavening that symbolizes the puffed up ego we develop when we minimalize the creator’s contributions to our lives, and credit ourselves for our material successes.

The omer was an offering of the first barley crop. Barley was used primarily for feeding animals, and minimally processed, unrefined. During the seven weeks we focus on deficiencies in  7 major character traits, each representing one of the Seven Shepherds, our forefathers who modeled the epitome of Jewish behavior. We have the opportunity to work on our own refinement in each of these areas. These traits are seven of the 10 traditional kabbalistic sefirot, the enumerations or attributes of creation.
The first week corresponds to chesed, kindness, as exemplified by our grandfather Avraham.
The second, gevura, strength, as shown by Yitzchak. The third, tiferet, or glory as represented by Ya’akov. Netzach, the eternal, as taught by Moshe. Hod, or splendor, by Aharon. Yesod, or foundation- the moral virtue of Yosef. And finally, Malchut, the sovereignty presented by David HaMelech- King David, who realized that only G-d was King over the world, and composed the score to accompany the unfolding scenes of the Creator’s dialogue with humanity.
Each week is a mini sefirah period, with each trait ascending through all seven levels, until we reach 49 days/7 full weeks- malchut sh’b'malchut, and the ultimate reward- Torah. The offering of the two loaves is made of wheat, highly refined, and leavened, a true partnership of  Mankind and their G-d. Our creator provides us with the natural resources, the raw materials and it is up to us to elevate, to complete what is given to us in a state of potentiality. This is the model for tikkun olam, the repair and completion of the world, the ultimate partnership.
Meet you at Sinai….
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Greg

For a well written and clear introduction into the kabbalistic sefirot click here