Day: 7 Be An Active Seeker

 BLESSING FOR COUNTING THE OMER:

Baruch ata Adonai, ELOHEYNU melech ha-olam, asher kiddeshanu bidvarecha v’tzi-va-noo al sifeerat ha-omer.

Blessed are you, O Adonai our GOD, King of the universe Who has sanctified us by your Word and commanded us concerning the Counting of the Omer.

Today is Day 7, which is 1 week of the Omer.

וְהָיָה֙ בַּיֹּ֣ום הַה֔וּא שֹׁ֣רֶשׁ יִשַׁ֗י אֲשֶׁ֤ר עֹמֵד֙ לְנֵ֣ס עַמִּ֔ים אֵלָ֖יו גֹּויִ֣ם יִדְרֹ֑שׁוּ וְהָיְתָ֥ה מְנֻחָתֹ֖ו כָּבֹֽוד

 “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious.” Isaiah 11:10

The Book of Isaiah serves as a Messianic roadmap, offering a vision of national redemption that was extensively debated by the Amoraim (Sages from 220–500 CE).The term shoresh (ש-ר-ש) refers to a plant’s hidden anchor. Isaiah’s choice of this word provides a distinct nuance compared to the visible "shoot" (choter) or "branch" (netzer). While a branch is seen, a root operates in darkness. This symbolizes the hidden nature of the Messiah and the Davidic line.

After the Babylonian exile, the Davidic dynasty was like a small, struggling stump, nearly lost but still holding on. However, the use of shoresh suggests that the Messianic seed stayed alive beneath the surface, waiting for the perfectly appointed moment to sprout and emerge. Importantly, the Messiah isn’t merely a result of David’s lineage; He is the very foundation of it, with a divine origin that predates and upholds the entire dynasty.

The text moves from the hidden shoresh (root) to the prominent nes (banner). This highlights the Messiah’s journey: from suffering and hiddenness to a miraculous resurrection and global recognition.

In this Messianic Kingdom, the Gentile world will not be passive. Through the verb darash, we see they will become active seekers of the Torah shining from Zion, ultimately embracing the sovereignty of the God of Israel.

Father, during this time from Pesach to Shavuot, let our hearts be filled with the desire in seeking Yeshua so that He will stand as a banner to the peoples.B’Shem Yeshua. Amen v’amen!