Instructions for counting the omer are found on our Omer Overview Page. You can find the specific blessing for today at chabad.org.

We’re dedicating a new Sefer Torah on the first day of Shavuot. In honor of this joyous occasion, we’re using the counting of the Omer to take a whirlwind trip through the Torah

Today’s portion is Noach from the book of Genesis. Today’s insight was generously provided by Ben S.

Verses of note: Genesis 9:1 – 7

What caught your attention in this parashah?

After the flood Noah and his sons are given a seemingly simple mission: “G-d blessed Noah and his sons, and He said to them: ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the land…”

The instruction, however, doesn’t stop there. It goes on to discuss how the animals of the world will treat Noah, what foods he and his sons can eat, a discussion about blood, and ultimately a prohibition against murder.

The paragraph closes out with the opening message: “And you, be fruitful and multiply; teem on the earth and multiply on it.”

What’s up with seemingly randomly placed verses between the calls to populate the Earth?

What’s one explanation for these verses?

I’ll admit it, I’m not up to the task of decoding the meaning of each of the verses that appears bracketed by the suggestion to populate the Earth.

But this much is clear: even before we have a Torah or a Jewish people, we have a simple message from G-d: your actions are connected, and your behavior matters.

It’s not enough to produce children and populate the Earth. You must do so in a just society of your own making. One that will be just because it follows G-d’s laws and is not simply based your instincts.