Parshas Emor: The Solution to the Global Food Crisis

“You shall count for yourselves – from the morrow of the rest day, from the day when you bring the omer of the waving – seven weeks, they shall be complete. Until the morrow of the seventh week you shall count, fifty days; and you shall offer a new meal-offering to G-d. From your settled places you shall bring bread of elevation …” –Leviticus 23:15-17

We are all familiar with the obligation to count the sefirah beginning on the second night of Pesach, and culminating on the night before the holiday of Shavuos. We are also familiar with the period of mourning that is observed for thirty-three days during the sefirah. (the particular days depend on your custom). Less known is the understanding of the obligation to count the omer, and how we can relate to this obligation. Let us delve into the nuance of the omer.

The fourteenth century Torah commentator Abudraham explains as follows: “The nation is anxious during the period between Pesach and Shavuos that their crops and orchards be bountiful. The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah) tells us: Why does the Torah command us to bring an omer (barley) offering on Pesach? So that the grains in the field might be blessed. And why does the Torah tell us to bring the two loaves offering on Shavuos? So that the fruit of the tree might be blessed. And why does the Torah tell us to perform the water libation on Sukkos? So that they might be blessed with the rains of the year. G-d therefore commanded that we count these days so that we be reminded of the anxiety of mankind and so that we might return to Him with our whole hearts, and plead to Him that He be merciful to us all of creation in providing sufficient harvests.”

Although there are many mystical interpretations of the sefirah, as well as its inextricable connection to the forty-eight ways of Torah acquisition, Abudraham’s interpretation holds particular significance in light of current events. The price of basic food staples has risen exponentially over the past year, with some basic staple such as rice and wheat reaching record increases of more than 141 percent as compared to last year. Many countries, especially the war-torn countries of Africa and Asia, are facing terrible instability over these rising prices. What is the cause behind these hikes? Many pundits ascribe these price hikes to the increased demand for ethanol, as well as the rising cost of fuel, and the droughts that have affected numerous agriculture producing countries. Regardless of the perceived cause, in this period of the sefirah, let us suggest another cause.

Pesach commemorates the Exodus, and Shavuos commemorates the giving of the Torah. This time period is also the beginning of the season of crops. On Pesach we saw the hand of G-d and we were given the opportunity to own up to our experience. During the sefirah we conduct an introspection to ascertain that we have learnt the lesson of the Eodus: namely, that our entire existence is due to G-d’s kindness. Needless to say, our source of sustenance is G-d. During the sefirah we focus on seeing G-d in our lives. Only after we have inculcated that message are we prepared to receive the Torah.

In today’s day and age of IPods, Facebook, and X-box, it’s very easy to forget about G-d’s role in the rain and earth of creation. Many people have dismissed the blessing of Barech Aleinu in Shemona Esrei as being outdated and in need of revision. Alas, our pocketbooks are feeling the sting of the basic staples and its ripple effect, teaching us that the literal meaning of barech aleinu is truer now more than ever. Let us once again refocus on G-d’s kindness to all of us, and may we merit to see the blessing of G-d in all aspects of creation. In order to resolve the global food crisis, we must first recognize the provider of our food, and then ask Him to shower us once again with blessing.