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Sefirat HaOmer: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Sefirah.jpg|thumb|right|The first day of the Omer on Bet Midrash Gavoha's Sefira Calendar]] | [[Image:Sefirah.jpg|thumb|right|The first day of the Omer on Bet Midrash Gavoha's Sefira Calendar]] | ||
There is a Torah obligation to count the days of the Omer stated in the Pasuk <ref>(Vayikra 23:15-16) </ref> as follows: וספרתם לכם ממחרת השבת מיום הביאכם את עמר התנופה שבע שבתות תמימת תהיינה: עד ממחרת השבת השביעת תספרו חמשים יום והקרבתם מנחה חדשה ליהוה: | There is a Torah obligation to count the days of the Omer stated in the Pasuk <ref>(Vayikra 23:15-16) </ref> as follows: וספרתם לכם ממחרת השבת מיום הביאכם את עמר התנופה שבע שבתות תמימת תהיינה: עד ממחרת השבת השביעת תספרו חמשים יום והקרבתם מנחה חדשה ליהוה:. The Mitzvah is to count 49 days (counting the days and the weeks) from the second day of Pesach (when the Korban HaOmer was brought) until Shavuot. The mitzvah applies nowadays. <Ref> Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvah Mitzvot Aseh #161) counts this as one mitzvah to count days and weeks and not as two separate mitzvot. See Tosfot Menachot 65b D"H Ketuv who asks why we only count 49 days when the Pasuk says to count 50 days and answers that the pasuk doesn't mean from the Korban Omer until the day after Ha[[Shabbat]] HaShevit count 50 days but rather means to from the Korban Omer until the day after Hashabbat HaShevit which is the 50th day one should count (up to but not including). Alternatively Tosfot answers that the command to count to the number 50 in the pasuk refers to when the Korban Shtei HaLechem is brought and not the count of the Omer. </ref> | ||
. The Mitzvah is to count 49 days (counting the days and the weeks) from the second day of Pesach (when the Korban HaOmer was brought) until Shavuot. The mitzvah applies nowadays. <Ref> Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvah Mitzvot Aseh #161) counts this as one mitzvah to count days and weeks and not as two separate mitzvot. See Tosfot Menachot 65b D"H Ketuv who asks why we only count 49 days when the Pasuk says to count 50 days and answers that the pasuk doesn't mean from the Korban Omer until the day after Ha[[Shabbat]] HaShevit count 50 days but rather means to from the Korban Omer until the day after Hashabbat HaShevit which is the 50th day one should count (up to but not including). Alternatively Tosfot answers that the command to count to the number 50 in the pasuk refers to when the Korban Shtei HaLechem is brought and not the count of the Omer. | |||
== | ==Procedure of counting Sefirat HaOmer== | ||
#One should say the Sefirat HaOmer standing. <Ref>S”A 489:1 based on the Rosh (Pesachim 10:41e) and Rambam (Temidin UMusafin 7:23) write that Sefirat HaOmer should be said standing. So rules S”A 489:1 that you need to stand. Rambam adds that, if one did say it while seated you’re also yotseh. So rules Mishna Brurah 489:6. Mishna Brurah adds that you should stand also for the Bracha. </ref> | #One should say the Sefirat HaOmer standing. <Ref>S”A 489:1 based on the Rosh (Pesachim 10:41e) and Rambam (Temidin UMusafin 7:23) write that Sefirat HaOmer should be said standing. So rules S”A 489:1 that you need to stand. Rambam adds that, if one did say it while seated you’re also yotseh. So rules Mishna Brurah 489:6. Mishna Brurah adds that you should stand also for the Bracha. </ref> | ||
==Timing== | ==Timing== | ||
# One may not count Sefirat HaOmer until Shekiyah (during Ben HaShemashot) and even then it’s preferable not to count until [[Tzet HaCochavim]]. <Ref>Tosfot (Menachot 66a), Rosh (Pesachim 10:40), Tur 489:1, and Ran (Pesachim 28a D”H VeBeHaggadah in name of most Mefarshim) rule that since Sefirah is Derabbanan one can count even during Ben HaShemashot. However, Rambam (Temidin UMusafin 7:22) who holds that Sefira is Deoritta, also holds that Sefirah must be said after nightfall. S”A 489:2 rules One may not count Sefirat HaOmer until Shekiyah (during Ben HaShemashot) and even then it’s preferable not to count until [[Tzet HaCochavim]]. Mishna Brurah 489:15 writes that Bedieved one fulfills one’s obligation if one counted during Ben HaShemashot and then quotes the Eliyah Rabba 489:10 who says that preferably one should count again after [[Tzet HaCochavim]] without a Bracha (because of the RIshonim who hold that Sefirah is Deoritta nowadays). </ref> | # One may not count Sefirat HaOmer until Shekiyah (during Ben HaShemashot) and even then it’s preferable not to count until [[Tzet HaCochavim]]. <Ref>Tosfot (Menachot 66a), Rosh (Pesachim 10:40), Tur 489:1, and Ran (Pesachim 28a D”H VeBeHaggadah in name of most Mefarshim) rule that since Sefirah is Derabbanan one can count even during Ben HaShemashot. However, Rambam (Temidin UMusafin 7:22) who holds that Sefira is Deoritta, also holds that Sefirah must be said after nightfall. S”A 489:2 rules One may not count Sefirat HaOmer until Shekiyah (during Ben HaShemashot) and even then it’s preferable not to count until [[Tzet HaCochavim]]. Mishna Brurah 489:15 writes that Bedieved one fulfills one’s obligation if one counted during Ben HaShemashot and then quotes the Eliyah Rabba 489:10 who says that preferably one should count again after [[Tzet HaCochavim]] without a Bracha (because of the RIshonim who hold that Sefirah is Deoritta nowadays). </ref> | ||
# If one counted during the day (before Plag Mincha) one has not fulfilled one’s obligation even if one Davened Mariv early and one must count it again that night with a Bracha. <Ref>S”A 489:2, Mishna Brurah 489:13, Biur Halacha 489:3 D”H MeBeOd Yom</ref> | # If one counted during the day (before Plag Mincha) one has not fulfilled one’s obligation even if one Davened Mariv early and one must count it again that night with a Bracha. <Ref>S”A 489:2, Mishna Brurah 489:13, Biur Halacha 489:3 D”H MeBeOd Yom</ref>However, because of a minority opinion who says one did fulfill one's obligation, some say one should count again at night without a bracha. <ref>Kaf HaChaim 489:47</reF> | ||
# If one said Mariv before Shekiyah after Plag Mincha one shouldn’t count then but rather wait until at least Ben HaShemashot, However if one did so then one should count again at night without a Bracha unless one didn’t daven mariv before Shekiyah in which case one should count again with a Bracha. <Ref>Hilchot Chag BaChag (pg 26), implied from Shaar HaTzion 489:17 </ref> | # If one said Mariv before Shekiyah after Plag Mincha one shouldn’t count then but rather wait until at least Ben HaShemashot, However if one did so then one should count again at night without a Bracha unless one didn’t daven mariv before Shekiyah in which case one should count again with a Bracha. <Ref>Hilchot Chag BaChag (pg 26), implied from Shaar HaTzion 489:17 </ref> | ||
# If someone is insistent on saying Kriyat Shema at night after [[Tzet HaCochavim]] of רבינו תם one should also wait until [[Tzet HaCochavim]] in order to count Sefirat HaOmer. <Ref>Piskei Shemuot (Shavuot pg 40-1) in name of Rav Nassim Karlitz </ref> | # If someone is insistent on saying Kriyat Shema at night after [[Tzet HaCochavim]] of רבינו תם one should also wait until [[Tzet HaCochavim]] in order to count Sefirat HaOmer. <Ref>Piskei Shemuot (Shavuot pg 40-1) in name of Rav Nassim Karlitz </ref> | ||
# One shouldn’t rely on the minhag to count after Plag Mincha. <Ref>Rav Elyashiv in Kovetz Teshuvot (vol 3, end of chapter 4) quoted by Piskei Shemuot (Shavuot pg 42) </ref> | # One shouldn’t rely on the minhag to count after Plag Mincha. <Ref>Rav Elyashiv in Kovetz Teshuvot (vol 3, end of chapter 4) quoted by Piskei Shemuot (Shavuot pg 42), Biur Halacha 489:3 D”H MeBeOd Yom </ref> | ||
# If one is Davening in a minyan which is davening early and finishes during Ben HaShemashot (Between Shekiah and [[Tzet HaCochavim]]) those who are careful about counting after [[Tzet HaCochavim]] should count with the minyan without a bracha and stipulate mentally "if I don't remember to count with a bracha then this counting should fulfill my obligation, however, if I remember later then I have intent not to fulfill my obligation with this counting" and then after [[Tzet HaCochavim]] count the Omer with a Bracha. <Ref> S"A 489:3 states that if davens early with a minyan one should count without a Bracha and if one remembers later with a minyan one should count with a Bracha. Mishnah Brurah 489:17 and Chazon Ovadyah ([[Yom Tov]] pg 233-4 explain that the minyan finishes during Ben HaShemashot and one must stipulate that if one remembers to count later that one will not fulfill one's obligation with the counting together with the Minyan. </ref> | # If one is Davening in a minyan which is davening early and finishes during Ben HaShemashot (Between Shekiah and [[Tzet HaCochavim]]) those who are careful about counting after [[Tzet HaCochavim]] should count with the minyan without a bracha and stipulate mentally "if I don't remember to count with a bracha then this counting should fulfill my obligation, however, if I remember later then I have intent not to fulfill my obligation with this counting" and then after [[Tzet HaCochavim]] count the Omer with a Bracha. <Ref> S"A 489:3 states that if davens early with a minyan one should count without a Bracha and if one remembers later with a minyan one should count with a Bracha. Mishnah Brurah 489:17 and Chazon Ovadyah ([[Yom Tov]] pg 233-4 explain that the minyan finishes during Ben HaShemashot and one must stipulate that if one remembers to count later that one will not fulfill one's obligation with the counting together with the Minyan. </ref> | ||
# One should say the Sefirah in the beginning of the night, if one forgot one can say the Sefirah with a Bracha the entire next night. <Ref> Tur 489:1 writes that if one forgot to count at the beginning of the night one can count all night. Perisha 489:1 quotes the Ran (Pesachim 28a D”H VeBeHaggadah Gam Ken) who agrees. So rules S”A 489: | # One should say the Sefirah in the beginning of the night, if one forgot one can say the Sefirah with a Bracha the entire next night. <Ref> Tur 489:1 writes that if one forgot to count at the beginning of the night one can count all night. Perisha 489:1 quotes the Ran (Pesachim 28a D”H VeBeHaggadah Gam Ken) who agrees. So rules S”A 489:1. </ref> | ||
# If one forgot to count the Omer an entire night and day one should continue to count without a Bracha. <Ref> S"A 489:8 </ref> | # If one forgot to count the Omer an entire night and day one should continue to count without a Bracha. <Ref> S"A 489:8 </ref> | ||
# If one is unsure whether one missed an entire day one should continue to count with a Bracha. <ref> S"A 489:8 </ref> | # If one is unsure whether one missed an entire day one should continue to count with a Bracha. <ref> S"A 489:8 </ref> | ||
==If someone asks the day of the Omer== | |||
# If someone asks "What day of the Omer is it?" if one hasn't fulfilled one's obligation yet, one should answer that "yesterday was such and such" rather than answering "today is such and such in the Omer" because if one were to do so, then one would fulfill one's obligation without having made the Bracha (and wouldn't be allowed to then say the Bracha). <ref>S"A 489:4 </ref> | |||
# If it's before Shekiah then one may answer the day in the Omer in a straightforward manner and still say that night's Omer with a Bracha. <ref> S"A 489:4 </ref>However, because of a minority opinion that one fulfills one's obligation by counting after Plag Mincha, even before [[Shekiyah]], one should be careful not to answer in a straightforward manner but rather say "yesterday was such and such".<ref>Kaf HaChaim 489:52 quoting S"A 489:15</ref> | |||
# If a person asks the day of the Omer and one answered by saying the number of the Omer without saying the number of weeks many authoriites hold that one hasn't fulfilled one's obligation and one should repeat the coutning with a Bracha <ref> Sh"t Maharash HaLevi Siman 5 ([http://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1834&st=&pgnum=16&hilite= see it inside]) argues at length that the mitzvah includes an element of counting the days and an element of counting weeks and if one lacks either one the obligation wasn't fulfilled and one should repeat it with a Bracha. The Mishna Brurah 489:22 (and Shaar HaTzion 489:28) hold like the Eliyah Rabba who also holds that if one didn't count the weeks one must repeat the counting with a Bracha. </ref>, while others argue that one should repeat the counting without a Bracha <ref> Knesset HaGedolah on Bet Yosef 489 D"H VaAni </ref>, and some make a compromise to obligate one in repeating the counting with a Bracha on days when a week is completed. <ref> Shaar HaTzion 489:28 in name of the Pri Chadash </ref> | |||
# Some say that if a person answered the number in abbreviation (such as Lag for 33 or Dalet for 4) one has not fulfilled one’s obligation and one should repeat counting the Sefirah with a Bracha. <Ref> Sh"t Maharash HaLevi Siman 5 </ref> while others hold that one fulfills one's obligation with an abbreviation and one should not repeat the Omer with a Bracha. <ref> Knesset HaGedolah on Bet Yosef 489 D"H VaAni </ref> | |||
# If a person made the Bracha and then said the number in abbreviation one shouldn’t repeat the counting with a Bracha (since he clearly intended to fulfill his obligation and there is some significance to an abbreviation.)<Ref> Sh"t Maharash HaLevi Siman 5 </ref> | |||
# If one makes the Bracha and counts by saying the next number of the Omer minus one such as saying that today is forty minus one instead of saying thirty nine one has fulfilled one's obligation. <ref> The Pri HaAretz Siman 10 quotes the Mahari Malcho who says that if on the 39th day one said that tonight is 40 minus 1 one fulfilled one’s obligation. This is also quoted by the Kemach Solet pg 118b D”H Mi SheShachach, Bear Hetiev 489:8, Yad Aharon (on the Tur Siman 489 D”H Im Amar). </ref> | |||
# If a person asks the day of the Omer and one answered by saying the next number of the Omer minus one such as saying that today is forty minus one instead of saying thirty nine, some say that one fulfilled one's obligation, while others disagree and hold that one should repeat the counting with a Bracha. <ref> Sh"t Pri HaAretz Siman 10 (at the end in parentheses), Kemach Solet pg 118b D”H Im Shoalo Chavero </ref> | |||
# If a person asks the day of the Omer and one answered by saying that tomorrow the Omer is such and such (and it's implied that today's Omer is one less) nonetheless one has not fulfilled one's obligation and one must repeat counting the Omer with a Bracha. <ref> Sh"t Vayan Avraham Siman 35 and Chazon Ovadyah ([[Yom Tov]] pg 247) based on the distinction of the Sh"t Pri HaAretz Siman 10 (at the end in parentheses)</ref> | |||
==Eating before counting the Omer== | ==Eating before counting the Omer== | ||
