Omer?

1. a. What mood do most people associate with the Omer today? b. What is the main event that caused this mood to be put in place for this time? c. What related fact does the Aruch haShulchan and others say about this time?
2. What element of mourning is built into the counting of the Omer itself today?
3. The counting is described in the Torah as being a counting from what event to what event?
4. We generally think of the Omer as a counting from what event to what event?
5. How does your answer to #3 hint to your answer to #4?
6. Based on your answers to 3,4,5 why would you say that the counting of the Omer is deOraita or deRabanan today?
7. What two things does the Shulchan Aruch say not to do during this time in commeration of the death of Rabi Akiva's students?
8. How has the above been extended today?
9. What words are matched and recited after the counting?
10. What mishnah do people work on part of during each day of this time?