In Parshat Emor, Vayikra 23:15, we read in reference to the counting of the omer, "Sheva shabbatot temimot tihiyena", seven complete weeks shall there be.

Why is the word "temimot" used rather than the word "shleimot" (the normative word for full or complete)?

Nechama Leibowitz brings the opinion of HaKtav VeHaKabbalah, quoting Rabbi Shlomo Pappenheim: Shleimot (from the root shalem) would refer to quantitative fullness, while temimot (from the root tamim) refers to qualitative perfection.

Other examples of tamim in the Torah would be (Shmot 12:5) "seh tamim", a lamb without blemish, (Breisheet 5:9) "tzadik tamim", a righteous and perfect person, (Devarim 18:13) "tamim tihiyeh im hashem elokecha", You shall be perfect with Hashem your God.

In Vayikra Raba, Rabbi Hiya taught: When are these seven weeks temimot (complete)? When Israel fulfills God's will.

It's not enough just to count the days of the omer, we must also use introspection. Just as one carefully examines the amount and integrity of the money he receives so as to avoid deficient and counterfeit coins, thus also when counting the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot one must make sure to complete the number and preserve the quality of each day and not detract from the spiritual integrity.

According to Rabbi Zeev Wolf Einhorn, a commentator on Midrash Raba, if we take our counting seriously then the crops will be "temimot", without any defect or shortcoming. The crops will receive ample dew and the ears will be full and sturdy.

If we take observance of the mitzvoth seriously, then God will in turn reward us.

Let's take the next few weeks of counting to a higher spiritual level as we anticipate the celebrations of Lag BaOmer, Yom Yerushalayim and Shavuot.