Right now we are counting the Omer. Day by day we move forward from the liberation of Pesach toward the fulfillment of Shavuot. This counting is agricultural – the Jews of old had planted their wheat, and were awaiting (with hope and fear) the “First fruits” – the crop that would either sustain them for the year to come, or not. Here in Wisconsin, farmers are watching a dry winter turn into a flooded spring, and no doubt wondering the same thing! The count is also spiritual –