This week’s torah portion is Emor.  A central point of the text is the emphasis on the holidays that we observe throughout the year (Leviticus/Vayikra Chapter 23).  The times and seasons of the festivals are clearly enunciated and we are given specific instructions on the observance of Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.  These days are to be ‘set aside’ or reserved for the particular observances that are appropriate to the season.  

What a difficult existence we would have if we did not have special days to look forward to!  Whether its the anticipation of vacation, or holidays or even a special birthday or anniversary celebration, the designation of special days helps us to feel that there is order in the world and gives us attainable, reachable events that serve as markers in time.  One need only look to a child’s excitement - counting the days until Hanukah - that we can see how large a role a special day and event can play in someone’s life.

Our holiday observances teach us to make holy the seasons of our life.  With each festival we have rituals but even more importantly we have a narrative (e.g., the Pesach Hagadah or the recreation of ancient sukkot) that reminds and enriches our lives with the lessons of generations.  The holidays command us to come together as families and community engaged in a larger life than the “normal” work-a-day world that informs most of our lives.  

At this time of the year we are involved in counting of the Omer.  From Pesach until Shavuot we count each day with a special blessing - starting with day “1” and going seven weeks until we reach day “49”.  Seven weeks of seven days from the liberation from bondage to the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.  But more importantly, as we count each day we remind ourselves that each day counts!”.  That is to say that we make each day special because we recognize that each day is in itself leading us toward the path of Torah - a path of learning and growth. 

It is clear to me - as we mark this intersection of the reading of Parashat Emor and the counting of the Omer that Judaism is meant to teach us to understand that life does not need to be a series of random events bombarding our lives at every turn.  No, instead we can realize that with the observances of festivals and the counting of days that we have it in our grasp to make each day special and to make each day meaningful - remembering the events and celebrations of the past while also moving toward the events of the future.  Our lives do not have to be random.  Our lives can have structure.  Our lives can have meaning.