Spiritual preparation for the Jewish High Holidays is difficult. First, you have to figure out when they are, because it changes every year. This year, Rosh Hashanah begins the evening of September 22. That’s relatively late in the month (my favorite joke about any Jewish holiday is that it’s always early or late, never on time).

 Plus, the school year is just starting and teachers, professors, administrators, students, and their families are settling in.

 Sports leagues are kicking off. Schedules are chaotic. Many of us are back at work—or navigating busy retirements—and still recovering from summer.

How do we make space to prepare? And maybe more pressing: Why bother at all?

Here’s my answer to the first question: use a Reverse Omer counter.

 Inspired by the Biblical Omer count from Passover to Shavuot, the Reverse Omer counts down from Tisha B’Av to Rosh Hashanah—50 days of reflection and attention to the flow of time.

 This year, Tisha B’Av falls on Sunday, August 3rd. Some will fast and read Lamentations, marking the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. But for many Jews, the day will not be noticed.

 But what if you did notice?

 Try using this Omer Counter. Read each day’s quotation. Take a moment to reflect on your connection to Judaism, the Jewish people, your family, and the world.

 And that leads to the second question. Why bother?

 Because you matter. What you do and how you live shape the meaning of your days, and all the lives you touch. You are important. So is your spiritual life. It’s worthy of your time.

 So give it a try. Take a few moments leading up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, to reflect on the past year, and perhaps even set some intentions for the year ahead.

Click below: