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March 27, 2014

The Omer Festival: Recovering a Lost Holiday and its Surprising Roots

David Flatto

David Flatto

David Flatto is an assistant professor of law, religion, and history at Penn State Law. He has a PhD in Jewish Studies from Harvard University and a JD from Columbia Law School, and received ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He has written and lectured on Maimonides, Jewish legal philosophy, and the critical and historical study of rabbinics.

Click here to access podcasts recorded by David Flatto.

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We usually think of the Omer as a commandment to count up to fifty days as a bridge between Passover and Shavuot. What is much less familiar is that in certain post-Biblical works the Omer is considered its own festival. This podcast examines the surprising roots of the Omer. It analyzes passages in rabbinic literature alongside writings from the Dead Sea Scrolls, Philo and the early Church Fathers. Listen and learn about the surprising roots of the Omer Festival!

This Rapoport Memorial Lecture, taught by Rabbi David Flatto, is sponsored by Dr. Samuel and Sanda E. Rapoport.

It was originally recorded on 03/27/2014.

- 03/27/2014
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