Counting the Omer: Day 10
Rabbi Lisa Edwards
Today is 25 Nisan, and the 10th day of the Omer. According to midrash, this happened on the 25th of the month of Nisan: “The Israelites came to Elim. And twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees were there. And they camped there by the water.” [Exodus 15:27]
In this time of drought in California, imagine the relief and delight the Israelites, newly escaped from Egypt, must have felt as they came upon twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees.
Can you think of a time in your life when you came upon an oasis?
What did it look like?
Did you discover it on your own or were you led to it?
Was it a gift from God?
Can you think of a time in your life – now perhaps – when you’re in need of an oasis?
Would you recognize it if you saw it?
What would your oasis look like? How do you distinguish an oasis from a mirage?
Remember this delightful song? Maria Muldaur singing “Midnight at the Oasis” by David Nichtern (1974)
Midnight at the oasis
Send your camel to bed
Shadows paintin’ our faces
Traces of romance in our heads
Heaven’s holdin’ a half-moon
Shinin’ just for us
Let’s slip off to a sand dune, real soon
And kick up a little dust
Come on, Cactus is our friend
He’ll point out the way
Come on, ’til the evenin’ ends
‘Til the evenin’ ends
You don’t have to answer
There’s no need to speak
I’ll be your belly dancer, prancer
And you can be my sheik
I know your Daddy’s a sultan
A nomad known to all
With fifty girls to attend him, they all send him
Jump at his beck and call
But you won’t need no harem, honey
When I’m by your side
And you won’t need no camel, no no
When I take you for a ride
Come on, Cactus is our friend
He’ll point out the way
Come on, ’til the evenin’ ends
‘Til the evenin’ ends
Midnight at the oasis
Send your camel to bed
Got shadows paintin’ our faces
And traces of romance in our heads
Oh, come on…
