Italian Omer Calendar, Ink and gouache on paper, early 19th century. This exquisite work of art features a representation of the Temple Menorah (notice how it is lit), and encapsulated in every golden-colored oblong shape is the Hebrew verse for counting each one of the forty nine days of the Omer. There is a tradition among Sephardic Jews to have certain Psalms inscribed on paper or parchment, and arranged in the shape of the Temple Menorah. The earliest source for this is from Rabbi David Abudrahem, of 14th century Spain, who wrote “In some places (the Lamnatzeach) is recited every day since (this psalm) is called the Psalm of the Menorah and when you recite it every day, it is considered as you lit the Menorah in the Beit Hamikdash”.Kabbalists instituted certain Psalms to be said on every day when counting the Omer. Our Omer calendar from Italy (Italian Jews are Sephardic), is a direct result of the writings of the greatest Sephardic Rabbis of hundreds of years ago, combined with the suggestions of the leading authorities of the mystical Kabbalah.
