The Mitzva of the Omer which is commanded in Vayikra 23:9-21 is explained in the Talmud, Menachot 64b: to bring the barley reaped for the meal offering from fields proximate to Jerusalem. If the barley did not ripen in the fields proximate to Jerusalem, one brings if from any place in Eretz Yisrael. There was an incident where the Omer came from Gaggot Tzerifin and the wheat for the two loaves on Shavuot came from the valley of Ein Sokher.
One reason why one brings the barley reaped for the meal offering from fields proximate to Jerusalem is due to the principle that one does not postpone performance of the mitzvot. When presented with the opportunity to perform a mitzva, one should perform it immediately. Therefore, the barley for the mitzva of the Omer meal offering in the Temple should be brought from the first crop encountered outside of Jerusalem.
As soon as an opportunity to do a mitzvah comes our way, one should seize it.
The Mechilta derives this idea from Shmot 12:17: “You shall safeguard the matzot” in order to prevent them from becoming Chametz. If you replace the word “matzot” with “mitzvot” then the verse will read: “You shall safeguard the mitzvot” in order to prevent them from becoming Chametz. Do not delay the performance of the mitzvot, lest they become sour and obsolete.
In light of this idea, Rashi explains that when the emissaries leave Jerusalem to search for barley, they should use the first available crop that they encounter.
We learn in the Talmud in Sanhedrin 11b that the barley for the Omer offering should ideally come from the region of Yehuda.
The ideal place to find the barley for the Omer offering was near Har HaBayit (the Temple Mount).
The Talmud, Menachot 85b explains that it was taught in a Braita that Abba Shaul said: Barley for the Omer offering would come from the Valley of Beit Makleh. According to the Tosefta (Menachot 10:21) this is from Nachal Kidron (the Kidron Valley).
The Kidron Valley originates northeast of the Old City of Jerusalem, separating the Temple Mount from Har HaZeitim (The Mount of Olives) and ends at the Dead Sea.
It was easiest to bring the barley back from the Kidron Valley since it was so close to the Temple Mount. If the barley was not available there, then they would venture further out into Yerushalayim or Yehuda up until the area of Lod-Modiin. If they still couldn’t get it, they would go to Tzerifin in the area of Lod. Only if it wasn’t available in any of these places did they bring it from anywhere in Israel.
While in the midst of the war against Iran, “The Lion’s Roar” over Pesach we saw the importance of staying as close to home as possible, only venturing out when necessary in order to avoid endangering ourselves from being on the road during incoming rocket attacks.
May we go back to the time where we stay close to home in order to be able to observe more Mitzvot rather than because we have to keep ourselves safe.
