omer

Omer is a term with several meanings in Hebrew and modern usage. In ancient Israel, an omer was a unit of volume used to measure grain and other staples. The omer is described in the Hebrew Bible as one-tenth of an ephah, and its exact size varied by era and region, but it is generally described as roughly a few liters.

Counting of the Omer: The Counting of the Omer (Sefirat HaOmer) is a Jewish ritual counting of 49 days from the day after Passover to the eve of Shavuot. Each day is marked with a blessing in traditional practice, and the count connects the Exodus with the giving of the Torah. In some communities, certain customs during the Omer period include restrictions on haircuts or music, though practices vary widely.

As a name: In modern usage, Omer is used as a given name in Hebrew-speaking communities and in other cultures. Variants include Omar and Ömer in Turkish. The name Omer derives from the biblical omer, meaning a sheaf or portion of grain, and the Turkish form Ömer is often linked to the Arabic Umar; usage and meaning may vary by culture. The name also appears as a surname in some cases.

See also: Variants and related names include Omar and Ömer.