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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:. 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, seemingly based on the gemara menachot 66a. 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> | 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, seemingly based on the gemara menachot 66a. 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> | ||
==Procedure of counting Sefirat HaOmer== | ==Procedure of counting Sefirat HaOmer== | ||
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==Prohibited practices during the Sefirat HaOmer== | ==Prohibited practices during the Sefirat HaOmer== | ||
The practice is to observe certain practices of mourning during the Sefirah because the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva died during this time. <ref> Tur and Shulchan Aruch 493:1 based on gemara in Yevamot 62b. </ref> There’s three basic minhagim about the mourning period between Pesach and Shavuot: | The practice is to observe certain practices of mourning during the Sefirah because the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva died during this time. <ref> Tur and Shulchan Aruch 493:1 based on gemara in Yevamot 62b. </ref> There’s three basic minhagim about the mourning period between [[Pesach]] and Shavuot: | ||
# One practice is to mourn the first 33 days from the beginning of the Omer until the 34th day in the morning. This practice is followed by Sephardim. <Ref>The source for this minhag is the Teshuvah of R. Yehoshua Ibn Shuib (cited by Bet Yosef 493:2) which says that the students of Rabbi Akiva died during the Omer except for the last 15 days which leaves the first 34 days, however, based on Miksat HaYom KeKulo (a minority of the day is considered like a whole day) one may stop mourning on the morning of the 34th. This is the ruling of S”A 493:2 and the practice of Sephardim as recorded in Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 493:1). This is explained clearly in Biur HaGra 493:6 D”H Nohagin, Biur Halacha 493 D”H Yesh Nohagim, and [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/714562/Rabbi_Josh_Flug/The_Mourning_Period_Of_Sefirat_Ha'omer Rabbi Flug's article on Sefirat HaOmer]. </ref> | # One practice is to mourn the first 33 days from the beginning of the Omer until the 34th day in the morning. This practice is followed by Sephardim. <Ref>The source for this minhag is the Teshuvah of R. Yehoshua Ibn Shuib (cited by Bet Yosef 493:2) which says that the students of Rabbi Akiva died during the Omer except for the last 15 days which leaves the first 34 days, however, based on Miksat HaYom KeKulo (a minority of the day is considered like a whole day) one may stop mourning on the morning of the 34th. This is the ruling of S”A 493:2 and the practice of Sephardim as recorded in Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 493:1). This is explained clearly in Biur HaGra 493:6 D”H Nohagin, Biur Halacha 493 D”H Yesh Nohagim, and [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/714562/Rabbi_Josh_Flug/The_Mourning_Period_Of_Sefirat_Ha'omer Rabbi Flug's article on Sefirat HaOmer]. </ref> | ||
# A second practice is to mourn from the beginning of the Omer until the 33rd day in the morning. This practice is followed by most Ashkenazim. <Ref>The source for this minhag is the Rama 493:2 who holds that the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying on the 33rd day of the Omer and by the principle of Miksat HaYom KeKulo (a minority of the day is considered like a whole day) one may stop mourning on the morning of the 33rd. This is the explanation of the Biur HaGra 493:9 D”H UMarbim, and the practice of Ashkenazim as recorded by [https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehalacha.com%2Fattach%2FVolume5%2FIssue8.pdf Halachically Speaking] (Volume 3, Issue 8, page 3). | # A second practice is to mourn from the beginning of the Omer until the 33rd day in the morning. This practice is followed by most Ashkenazim. <Ref>The source for this minhag is the Rama 493:2 who holds that the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying on the 33rd day of the Omer and by the principle of Miksat HaYom KeKulo (a minority of the day is considered like a whole day) one may stop mourning on the morning of the 33rd. This is the explanation of the Biur HaGra 493:9 D”H UMarbim, and the practice of Ashkenazim as recorded by [https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehalacha.com%2Fattach%2FVolume5%2FIssue8.pdf Halachically Speaking] (Volume 3, Issue 8, page 3). | ||
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##Some observe this practice by mourning from the first day of [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar until the third day before Shavuot. <Ref>Rama 493:3, Magan Avraham 489:5 </ref> | ##Some observe this practice by mourning from the first day of [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar until the third day before Shavuot. <Ref>Rama 493:3, Magan Avraham 489:5 </ref> | ||
## Some observe this practice by mourning from after Issru Chag until [[Rosh Chodesh]] Sivan excluding the two days of [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar and Lag BaOmer. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 489:15 quoting the Siddur Derech Chaim </ref> | ## Some observe this practice by mourning from after Issru Chag until [[Rosh Chodesh]] Sivan excluding the two days of [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar and Lag BaOmer. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 489:15 quoting the Siddur Derech Chaim </ref> | ||
## Some observe this practice by mourning all the days of the Omer expect for [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar and Sivan. <Ref> Sh”t Igrot Moshe 1:159 explains that the reason for this minhag is that it holds that the students of Rabbi Akiva died on all the days between Pesach and Shavuot except for the 16 days when one can not say Tachanun (7 days of Pesach, 6 [[Shabbat]]ot, 3 days of Rosh Chodesh) and so the minhag forbids getting married and cutting hair the entire Sefira except for [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar and Sivan (and Pesach and [[Shabbat]] are already forbidden to get married). </ref> | ## Some observe this practice by mourning all the days of the Omer expect for [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar and Sivan. <Ref> Sh”t Igrot Moshe 1:159 explains that the reason for this minhag is that it holds that the students of Rabbi Akiva died on all the days between [[Pesach]] and Shavuot except for the 16 days when one can not say Tachanun (7 days of Pesach, 6 [[Shabbat]]ot, 3 days of Rosh Chodesh) and so the minhag forbids getting married and cutting hair the entire Sefira except for [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar and Sivan (and [[Pesach]] and [[Shabbat]] are already forbidden to get married). </ref> | ||
# A fourth minhag followed by some is to observe sefira, in regards to not cutting one's hair, for the entire duration of the sefira from Erev Pesach until Erev Shavuot.<ref>Arizal quoted by Shaarei Teshuva 493:8</ref> | # A fourth minhag followed by some is to observe sefira, in regards to not cutting one's hair, for the entire duration of the sefira from Erev [[Pesach]] until Erev Shavuot.<ref>Arizal quoted by Shaarei Teshuva 493:8</ref> | ||
# It is permitted for a wife to observe her family’s mourning period, as long as her husband does not object. <ref> Rav Doniel Neustadt Daily Halacha Discussion page 219 </ref> | # It is permitted for a wife to observe her family’s mourning period, as long as her husband does not object. <ref> Rav Doniel Neustadt Daily Halacha Discussion page 219 </ref> | ||
===Getting Married=== | ===Getting Married=== | ||
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===Cutting hair=== | ===Cutting hair=== | ||
# In commemoration of the death of the students of Rabbi Akiva, the minhag is not to cut one’s hair during sefira. Although many minhagim exist, the common minhag is that Sephardim don’t cut their hair until the 34th day of sefira in the morning and Ashkenazim don’t cut their hair until the 33rd in the morning.<ref> | # In commemoration of the death of the students of Rabbi Akiva, the minhag is not to cut one’s hair during sefira. Although many minhagim exist, the common minhag is that Sephardim don’t cut their hair until the 34th day of sefira in the morning and Ashkenazim don’t cut their hair until the 33rd in the morning.<ref> | ||
* The Gemara Yevamot 62b records the tragic story of Rabbi Akiva’s student passing away between Pesach and Shavuot. The Tur 493:1 records the minhag not to take hair cuts during sefirat HaOmer in order to mourn the death of Rabbi Akiva’s students. The Tur writes that some would cut their hair from Lag BaOmer and on because there’s a tradition that the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying on Lag BaOmer. The Tashbetz 1:178, however, says that they died until 15 days before Shavuot (Pros HaAseret), which is the 34th of the Omer. S”A 493:2 follows the Tashbetz, while the Rama quotes some who follow the Tur and some who don’t take a hair cut from [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar until Shavuot. | * The Gemara Yevamot 62b records the tragic story of Rabbi Akiva’s student passing away between [[Pesach]] and Shavuot. The Tur 493:1 records the minhag not to take hair cuts during sefirat HaOmer in order to mourn the death of Rabbi Akiva’s students. The Tur writes that some would cut their hair from Lag BaOmer and on because there’s a tradition that the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying on Lag BaOmer. The Tashbetz 1:178, however, says that they died until 15 days before Shavuot (Pros HaAseret), which is the 34th of the Omer. S”A 493:2 follows the Tashbetz, while the Rama quotes some who follow the Tur and some who don’t take a hair cut from [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar until Shavuot. | ||
* Bet Yosef 493:3 quotes the Ri Ibn Shoiv who records another tradition that Rabbi Akiva’s students only died on the 33 days during the Sefira when there’s no Tachanun. According to this tradition, Biur Halacha 493 D”H Yesh the minhag developed to mourn 33 days during the sefira corresponding to the days they died. Kitzur S”A 120:6-7 writes that some mourn the last 33 days of sefira starting after [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar excluding Lag BaOmer and a variant minhag is to mourn from the first day of [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar until the Shelosha Yemei Hagbala excluding Lag BaOmer. | * Bet Yosef 493:3 quotes the Ri Ibn Shoiv who records another tradition that Rabbi Akiva’s students only died on the 33 days during the Sefira when there’s no Tachanun. According to this tradition, Biur Halacha 493 D”H Yesh the minhag developed to mourn 33 days during the sefira corresponding to the days they died. Kitzur S”A 120:6-7 writes that some mourn the last 33 days of sefira starting after [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar excluding Lag BaOmer and a variant minhag is to mourn from the first day of [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar until the Shelosha Yemei Hagbala excluding Lag BaOmer. | ||
* S”A 493:2 writes that the minhag is to mourn from the beginning of the sefira until the morning of the 34th of the Omer. Kaf HaChaim 493:12 and Chazon Ovadyah (pg 253) agree that this is the common minhag among Sephardim. Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 430) and Maamer Mordechai of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (Sefirat HaOmer #48) agree. Kaf HaChaim 493:12-3 adds that some follow the Arizal’s practice not to cut one’s hair the entire Sefira. | * S”A 493:2 writes that the minhag is to mourn from the beginning of the sefira until the morning of the 34th of the Omer. Kaf HaChaim 493:12 and Chazon Ovadyah (pg 253) agree that this is the common minhag among Sephardim. Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 430) and Maamer Mordechai of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (Sefirat HaOmer #48) agree. Kaf HaChaim 493:12-3 adds that some follow the Arizal’s practice not to cut one’s hair the entire Sefira. | ||
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# According to Ashkenazim, if there's a pressing need women may cut their hair during Sefirat HaOmer.<ref>Sh"t Igrot Moshe YD 2:137. See [https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.thehalacha.com/attach/Volume5/Issue8.pdf&pli=1 Halachically Speaking article on Sefirah].</ref> According to Sephardim, women may cut their hair during the Sefirah.<Ref>Chazon Ovadyah (Yom Tov pg 261)</ref> | # According to Ashkenazim, if there's a pressing need women may cut their hair during Sefirat HaOmer.<ref>Sh"t Igrot Moshe YD 2:137. See [https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.thehalacha.com/attach/Volume5/Issue8.pdf&pli=1 Halachically Speaking article on Sefirah].</ref> According to Sephardim, women may cut their hair during the Sefirah.<Ref>Chazon Ovadyah (Yom Tov pg 261)</ref> | ||
# If one has a [[Brit Milah]] during the Sefira, the father of the baby, the Mohel, and the Tzandak may cut their hair that day. <ref> Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 432) </ref> | # If one has a [[Brit Milah]] during the Sefira, the father of the baby, the Mohel, and the Tzandak may cut their hair that day. <ref> Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 432) </ref> | ||
# It is permissible to tweeze eyebrows or eyelashes. <ref> Bein Pesach Lishavuot page 241 quoting Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rav Shmuel Wosner. </ref> | # It is permissible to tweeze eyebrows or eyelashes. <ref> Bein [[Pesach]] Lishavuot page 241 quoting Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rav Shmuel Wosner. </ref> | ||
# It is permissible to comb hair even if some hairs will be removed in the process. <ref> Mishna Berura 551:20 </ref> | # It is permissible to comb hair even if some hairs will be removed in the process. <ref> Mishna Berura 551:20 </ref> | ||
===Shaving=== | ===Shaving=== | ||
# Included in the minhag not to take hair cuts is not to shave. <ref> Tur 493 says that some have the custom "lo lihistaper." Masekhet Semachot (7:11) in regards to mourning writes that lihistaper means to cutting the hair of one's head, mustache, beard, and all other hair. Nitai Gavriel (Pesach vol 3, 49:2) and Chazon Ovadyah (p. 262) write that including in the minhag not to take a hair cut is not to shave.</ref> Some authorities permitted someone who shaves daily after having waited 3 or 5 days of not shaving to shave during the Sefira. <ref> Rav Soloveitchik (cited by Rav Schachter in Nefesh HaRav pg 191-2) compared the Sefira to the 12 months of mourning in which a person who shaves daily may shave after waiting a few days. Rav Soloveitchik felt that this was the case because all customs have to be based on some opinion or patterned after another halacha. Therefore, he argues that the mourning of the Omer is parallel to the mourning during the year of mourning for a parent. Therefore since the halacha says that it is permissible to shave during the year once one's friends scold him to tell him that his hair is too long ("ad she-yig'aru bo chaveirav": Moed Katan 22b, Rambam Hilkhot Evel 6:3), it would be permissible during the omer also. | # Included in the minhag not to take hair cuts is not to shave. <ref> Tur 493 says that some have the custom "lo lihistaper." Masekhet Semachot (7:11) in regards to mourning writes that lihistaper means to cutting the hair of one's head, mustache, beard, and all other hair. Nitai Gavriel (Pesach vol 3, 49:2) and Chazon Ovadyah (p. 262) write that including in the minhag not to take a hair cut is not to shave.</ref> Some authorities permitted someone who shaves daily after having waited 3 or 5 days of not shaving to shave during the Sefira. <ref> Rav Soloveitchik (cited by Rav Schachter in Nefesh HaRav pg 191-2) compared the Sefira to the 12 months of mourning in which a person who shaves daily may shave after waiting a few days. Rav Soloveitchik felt that this was the case because all customs have to be based on some opinion or patterned after another halacha. Therefore, he argues that the mourning of the Omer is parallel to the mourning during the year of mourning for a parent. Therefore since the halacha says that it is permissible to shave during the year once one's friends scold him to tell him that his hair is too long ("ad she-yig'aru bo chaveirav": Moed Katan 22b, Rambam Hilkhot Evel 6:3), it would be permissible during the omer also. | ||
Rav Schachter (“Halachos of Chol HaMoed”, min 67-70) clarified that not shaving for 3 or 5 days is sufficient. Rabbi Willig (“Hilchos Pesach and Sefira#1”, min 85-90) also quotes Rav Soloveitchik. Rav Aharon Lictenstein [http://vbm-torah.org/archive/halak65/24halak.htm vbm.org] says that it is even an obligation to shave for kavod shabbat on Friday incorporating Rav Soloveitchik's approach. </ref> | Rav Schachter (“Halachos of Chol HaMoed”, min 67-70) clarified that not shaving for 3 or 5 days is sufficient. Rabbi Willig (“Hilchos [[Pesach]] and Sefira#1”, min 85-90) also quotes Rav Soloveitchik. Rav Aharon Lictenstein [http://vbm-torah.org/archive/halak65/24halak.htm vbm.org] says that it is even an obligation to shave for kavod shabbat on Friday incorporating Rav Soloveitchik's approach. </ref> | ||
# Many Sephardic authorities are lenient regarding shave on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar if it causes one pain not to shave, however, Ashekanzic authorities seem not to accept such a leniency.<ref> | # Many Sephardic authorities are lenient regarding shave on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar if it causes one pain not to shave, however, Ashekanzic authorities seem not to accept such a leniency.<ref> | ||
* Bet Yosef 493:3 writes that those who cut their hair on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar because they consider it a Yom Tov are mistaken because the minhag is not to cut their hair on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar. He adds that they may have mistakenly thought it was permitted based on another minhag which would mourn another 33 days during the sefira. Similarly, Mishna Brurah 493:14 summarizes that according to those who don’t cut their hair the first 33 days of the Sefira, it would be contradictory to shave on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar. | * Bet Yosef 493:3 writes that those who cut their hair on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar because they consider it a Yom Tov are mistaken because the minhag is not to cut their hair on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar. He adds that they may have mistakenly thought it was permitted based on another minhag which would mourn another 33 days during the sefira. Similarly, Mishna Brurah 493:14 summarizes that according to those who don’t cut their hair the first 33 days of the Sefira, it would be contradictory to shave on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar. | ||
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* It also seems evident from the Bach and Mishna Brurah (see previous footnote) that one may not cut one’s hair because of Kavod Shabbat alone. Thus, Rav Shlomo Zalman (cited by Shalmei Moed pg 449-450) and Rav Yacov Kamenetsky (Emet L’Yaakov 493 note 467) hold that one may not shave in the sefira for Kavod Shabbat. | * It also seems evident from the Bach and Mishna Brurah (see previous footnote) that one may not cut one’s hair because of Kavod Shabbat alone. Thus, Rav Shlomo Zalman (cited by Shalmei Moed pg 449-450) and Rav Yacov Kamenetsky (Emet L’Yaakov 493 note 467) hold that one may not shave in the sefira for Kavod Shabbat. | ||
* However, Rav Lichtenstein (vbm.org) ruled that not only is it permitted but an obligation to shave for kavod Shabbat during sefira just like Kavod Shabbat theoretically overrides the nine days (see Mishna Brurah 551:32). Similarly, Rav Ovadyah in Chazon Ovadyah (Yom Tov pg 262) and Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 431) writes that if one is in great pain one may shave every Friday.</ref> | * However, Rav Lichtenstein (vbm.org) ruled that not only is it permitted but an obligation to shave for kavod Shabbat during sefira just like Kavod Shabbat theoretically overrides the nine days (see Mishna Brurah 551:32). Similarly, Rav Ovadyah in Chazon Ovadyah (Yom Tov pg 262) and Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 431) writes that if one is in great pain one may shave every Friday.</ref> | ||
# Some authorities permit shaving in honor of Yom HaAtzmaut, however, some disagree. <ref> Rabbi Eliezer Melamed (Peninei Halacha “Yom HaAtzmaut”) writes that those who shave regularly should shave prior Yom HaAtzmaut in order to look presentable for the holiday. He also quotes Rav Yitzchak Nissim and Rav Tzvi Yehuda HaCohen Kook who agreed. Shana Beshana (5752, p. 145) quotes Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank as agreeing. Shana B’shana (5752, p. 145) quotes Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank as agreeing. Rav Shaul Yisraeli in Mareh HaBezek 4:54 permits shaving from after midday prior to Yom HaAtzamaut even for those living outside Israel. However, Yaskil Avdi 6:10 and Rav Soloveitchik (quoted by Rav Schachter in Nefesh HaRav p. 94) argue.</ref> | # Some authorities permit shaving in honor of Yom HaAtzmaut, however, some disagree. <ref> Rabbi Eliezer Melamed (Peninei Halacha “Yom HaAtzmaut”) writes that those who shave regularly should shave prior Yom HaAtzmaut in order to look presentable for the holiday. He also quotes Rav Yitzchak Nissim and Rav Tzvi Yehuda HaCohen Kook who agreed. Shana Beshana (5752, p. 145) quotes Rav Tzvi [[Pesach]] Frank as agreeing. Shana B’shana (5752, p. 145) quotes Rav Tzvi [[Pesach]] Frank as agreeing. Rav Shaul Yisraeli in Mareh HaBezek 4:54 permits shaving from after midday prior to Yom HaAtzamaut even for those living outside Israel. However, Yaskil Avdi 6:10 and Rav Soloveitchik (quoted by Rav Schachter in Nefesh HaRav p. 94) argue.</ref> | ||
# Many authorities permit shaving if not shaving will cause one a loss of income; however, each case should be judged individually. <ref> | # Many authorities permit shaving if not shaving will cause one a loss of income; however, each case should be judged individually. <ref> | ||
* Rav Moshe in Igrot Moshe 4:102 rules that if one will lose money by not shaving, one may shave during sefira, because the minhag never applied in a case of monetary loss. In 5:24(9), he explains his position and says that only a person who is concerned about losing his income for the duration of the sefira is permitted to shave. If, however, he can simply borrow money and then repay it with later income, this leniency wouldn’t apply. See Maadanei Shlomo (p. 54) who quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman as also being lenient. | * Rav Moshe in Igrot Moshe 4:102 rules that if one will lose money by not shaving, one may shave during sefira, because the minhag never applied in a case of monetary loss. In 5:24(9), he explains his position and says that only a person who is concerned about losing his income for the duration of the sefira is permitted to shave. If, however, he can simply borrow money and then repay it with later income, this leniency wouldn’t apply. See Maadanei Shlomo (p. 54) who quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman as also being lenient. | ||
