Counting Omer Archives

Eating Before Counting Sefira

Question: Is there a problem to begin the Shabbos meal before counting Sefira? Answer: Indeed this is a problem. This applies Friday night and during the week as…

If I missed counting Sefira on different nights up to the present. And I’m almost sure, but in doubt, of whether I made up for them all by day, do I continue counting without a Bracha?

You may continue with a Bracha. שו"ע אדה"ז תפט, כה. ואף שודאי לא ספר בלילה - ראה ספר ספיה"ע פ"ג אות כט. #8264

Does an alarm or app to remind one to count Sefira allow one to start a meal within a half hour before Shkia?

Yes, however one must count Sefira as soon as the alarm rings. Sources: כך משמע מדין שמש (שו"ע אדה"ז תפט, יז). ומסתברא ששמש (כללי) מועיל פחות משומר (פרטי)…

Can I then make a Bracha on Sefiras H’Omer after speaking to a group of children at a rally?

Full Question: Lag B'Omer evening, I spoke to a group of children in connection with Lag B'Omer. Afterwards, I went to Daven Ma'ariv, I had a doubt whether I…

Is it a problem to say the Sefira’s Midah before counting?

For example: Discussing תפארת שבתפארת after Shkia but before Maariv of מוצאי בדר''ח אייר. Answer: There is no halachic issue with this. However, there is a Sicha of…

If my children go to bed before Tzeis, how early can I count Sefiras Haomer with them? Is there a difference between preschool age and elementary age?

The Alter Rebbe writes (Siman 489:12) that it is appropriate to wait until Tzeis Hakochevim to count Sefira, however, he mentions that the Minhag of the average person was…

One who is a sticky situation, he missed a day of counting Sefirah (thereby losing the Bracha) but is now the Chazzan for Maariv and faces a big embarrassing moment if he doesn’t make the Bracha, is there a Heter for him to make the Bracha? (Maybe based on the Halacha of wearing a Passul Tallis on Shabbos Mitzad Kavod Habriyos?)

There are Poskim who are Mattir, especially if he is being Motzi one of the listeners with the Bracha. Nonetheless, even better is to allow the embarrassment and not…

If a person forgot to count Sefira at night and he remembered only during Bein Hashmashos of the next day, can he continue counting in the remaining nights with a Bracha? I’ve seen people explaining the Alter Rebbe’s opinion in his Shulchon Aruch in different ways…

He may continue counting with a Bracha. טעמים ומקורות: לפענ״ד הסופר בין השמשות יכול להמשיך לספור, וכדעת הפוסקים שג״ז ס״ס, וה״ט כיון שמעיקר הדין קייל״ן שגם בהפסק יום…

Saying Ana Bichoach Quietly

Question: This that we say Ana Bichoach Blachash (quietly) on Friday evening, does it also apply to the Ana Bichoach of Sefiras Ha'omer on Friday night? Does it apply…