Question
What was the omer? How was it counted?
Answer
The Omer was a measure of barley (see Ex.16:36) that was offered on the day after Passover (Lev.23:9-14). Seven weeks were then counted, starting on that day; the 50th day was then celebrated as Pentecost (Lev.23:15-21), or in Hebrew Shavuos (“Weeks”). Grain wasn’t counted – just days and weeks.