the mitzva (command) to count the forty-nine days from Pesach (Passover) to Shavuos (Pentecost)
2
votes
1answer
77 views
Why don't we count sefirah without shem u'malkhut
Our current practice is that if you forget to count one day of the omer (morning and night), it is still incumbent upon you to count, but you can't say a bracha.
As far as I understand, the reason ...
3
votes
1answer
62 views
When the first of the 3 days of hagbalah is Sunday, are haircuts permitted the Friday before?
When lag b’omer fell on a Sunday, it was permitted to take a haircut on the Friday before for the honour of Shabbos.
This year the first day of the three days of hagbalah also falls on Sunday and ...
3
votes
1answer
60 views
Sefirat ha'omer as Conditional mitzvah
Are there any other “mitzvot” besides counting S’fira that are cumulative? In other words, if you forget a day of S’fira you can no longer count with a bracha. Are there any other types of mitzvot ...
4
votes
1answer
47 views
How to fix incorrect omer count
Suppose someone accidentally counts the wrong day of the omer after making a bracha, and then realizes later that night what he had done. How should he rectify this? Should he count the correct day ...
5
votes
2answers
112 views
Ari Zal and Sefira
Many people do not take a hair cut until the end of Sefira (including Lag B'Omer) because of a position of the Ari Zal. Where is the Ari Zal? What is the source for this? Did the strigency of the Ari ...
4
votes
1answer
61 views
Reasoning for doing/not doing mourning customs in second half of the omer
In my observation, most people observe certain mourning customs between the beginning of sefirat ha'omer and lag b'omer (such as refraining from shaving, listening to live music, etc.). Some people ...
2
votes
1answer
37 views
Eating new grains on the 17th vs the 18th of Nisan
The Shulhan 'Aruch (OC 489:10) states:
אסור לאכול חדש אף בזמן הזה בין לחם בין קלי בין כרמל עד תחלת ליל יח בניסן ובארץ ישראל עד תחלת ליל יז בניסן
"It is forbidden to eat new (grains) even ...
2
votes
1answer
55 views
Ashkenazi unsure whether he or she counted the 'Omer one night
According to the Daily Halacha website:
If a person is unsure whether or not he counted a day of the Omer, and cannot determine conclusively if he had counted or if he had missed that day, he ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
Why do the middat hayom start with chessed and progress to malchut?
Included in my siddur as part of the sefirat haomer are the corresponding middat hayom for each day/week. They begin with chessed sh'b'chessed and progress through a series of middot - gevurah, ...
6
votes
2answers
97 views
Counting the omer with doubt before the fixed calendar
Currently, according to a previous question on this site, we count the omer without doubt: "Today is the Xth day of the omer" because we have a fixed calendar, and because counting with doubt is ...
1
vote
1answer
55 views
What is the spiritual value of counting the omer?
I understand that it is a mitzvah to count the 49 days of the omer from the second night of Pesach through erev Shavuos. But what is the spiritual value of counting s'fira? I.e. what does G-d want ...
2
votes
0answers
30 views
Language of Mishneh Brurah - Sefiras HaOmer and counting before Aleinu
Shulchan Aruch 489:1 says that after Maariv of the second night of Pesach we begin to count Sefiras HaOmer. The Mishneh Brurah there in note 2 says that one should count before "Aleinu" because "col ...
2
votes
1answer
73 views
Why was the Shulchan Aruch's ruling to wait until Lad LaOmer to cut one's hair?
The Shulchan Aruch (493:2) writes that one should not cut one's hair until the morning of the 34th day of the 'Omer ("אין להסתפר עד יום ל"ד בבקר"). What is the source for waiting until the morning of ...
4
votes
1answer
87 views
Eyebrow Trimming During Sefira
Are there any known halacha- or responsa- sources that deal with the permitting or prohibiting of trimming eyebrows during Sefira? I'm wondering if eyebrows fall into the "regular" category of haircut ...
5
votes
2answers
72 views
Shehecheyanu on sefiras haomer
Why don't we make a shehecheyanu blessing on counting the Omer? It is a mitzvah which we get to do after a very long break (more than 300 days)?
Some arguments I have heard:
In a similar situation ...
5
votes
3answers
149 views
Do sefirah mourning restrictions occur on Isru Chag?
Many North African Jews celebrate the day after Pesach (which is Isru Chag) with the festive Mimouna. Does such a party atmosphere conflict with the customs of mourning during sefirat haomer? Could ...
5
votes
2answers
61 views
Thought about Sefirah but did not say it verbally
I thought (in the middle of Shemona Esray of mincha) that I must count the first day of sefirah after I finish; but did not do it verbally. Should I continue on to make the brocha from the second day? ...
3
votes
1answer
80 views
How can you keep Shabbos till Tuesday?
I have heard that there are people who keep Shabbos till Tuesday. I would like to understand how that works practically. A few examples of puzzling situations:
What shmoneh esrei does such a person ...
12
votes
4answers
322 views
Is there any evidence that Rabbi Akiva's students fought alongside Bar Kochba?
Various sources say that "12,000 pairs" of Rabbi Akiva's students died between Pesach and Shavuos because they did not treat each other with respect. See Genesis Rabba 61:3, Ecclesiastes Rabba 11, ...
3
votes
1answer
325 views
What are the limits of “music”?
During the Three Weeks, Sefira, and perhaps even year-round, listening to music is forbidden. What constitutes music varies in its definition, but for the past century or so artists have been ...
2
votes
0answers
54 views
Changing the 'Omer sign
If a Shul has an 'Omer sign that is manually changed, may someone change it before making the Berachah on the night's count?
If not, and if the solution is to change it before Bein HaShemashoth, can ...
2
votes
5answers
122 views
List of Kavanot for ANA BE-KHOACH
What are some of the things one should have in mind (kavanah) when saying Ana B'Khoach?
8
votes
2answers
125 views
Can you say “Lag Baomer” before counting Sefirah?
As is known, during Sefiras HaOmer, you should not say "today is x day of the Omer" (or similar) before counting sefirah in Maariv, as this would prevent you from counting with a bracha later ...
7
votes
2answers
85 views
Bar Mitzva boy taking haircut in Sefira
If a boy becomes Bar Mitzva during Sefira, may he take a haircut for the Simcha - similar to a Bris where the father is allowed to take a haircut in Sefira?
7
votes
1answer
59 views
Dancing during kidush levana on sefiras haomer
After making kidush levana there is a custom to dance and sing a song "Tovim meorot...". Is it permissible to dance after kidush levana of the month of Iyar, as it falls during the mourning days of ...
5
votes
2answers
105 views
Correct Niqqud for ואטהר in Sefira Nusach
Context: In the Ashkenaz / Sefard (and possibly others) Nuschaos of Sefira, there is a prayer starting with the words "Ribbono Shel Olam [רבונו של עולם]" that is said. Towards the end of this prayer ...
1
vote
1answer
143 views
Dancing on Yom Haatzmaus
One is not allowed to dance during the mourning days of s'firas haomer (Mishna B'rura 493:3). According to all major customs, Yom Haatzmaus (Israel's independence day) falls during the mourning days ...
5
votes
1answer
96 views
Counting the Omer non-verbally
If someone who is chayav in mitzvot does not have the ability to speak, (say, for example, he lost his tongue in a freak tennis accident,) can he count the Omer non-verbally, through sign language, ...
1
vote
0answers
45 views
Is one allowed to listen to music during Pesach? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Sefira Restrictions During Chol Hamoed Pesach
One of the reasons given to pushing off the Aveilus period until after Rosh Chodesh Iyar is because one should avoid ...
5
votes
4answers
202 views
May musicians practice their instruments during Sefirah?
Although one should not listen to music during Sefirah, may musicians practice their instruments during this time?
Would it matter if their livelihood is or is not dependent on their musical talent ...
4
votes
2answers
125 views
What is the halachic source for the minhagim of mourning during Sefira?
What is the earliest halachic source for the minhagim of mourning during sefira? Note that this does not mean the story of R' Akiva, I'm talking about halachic references to prohibitions such as not ...
1
vote
1answer
55 views
Last night *might* have been the first night of the omer. Right? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Sefira Counting in Diaspora
How do we count sefira with absolute certainty, as we do, and yet, in diaspora, we have a second seder and a second dat of yom tov? Wouldn't ...
6
votes
1answer
168 views
Vacation and travel during the 'Omer
Not including issues related to the International Dateline and the Halachic Dateline, are there issues of concern when traveling, especially when traveling for pleasure/vacation, during Sefirath ...
5
votes
1answer
74 views
Haircuts on Friday when the 47th of the omer falls on Sunday
The Rema, commenting on the mourning of the first 33 days of the omer, allows haircuts on Friday, lichvod shabbos, when the 33rd falls on Sunday.
Does the same reasoning apply when the 47th falls on ...
1
vote
1answer
45 views
Mentioning the number of the Sefira prior to saying it
Tha Halacha (Orach Chaim 489) http://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14165&st=&pgnum=189 is that if for example on the Twenty eighth day of Sefira, you say "today is the Twenty eighth day" ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Shaving on Friday when Lag Ba'omer falls out on a Sunday
This year (2011) Lag Ba'omer falls out on a Sunday. I've heard from a few people that the halacha is, that you can shave on the Friday beforehand l'kavod Shabbos. Are there any sources for that? Any ...
8
votes
3answers
170 views
Why don't we count the omer with a bracha during the day?
Seem that the commandment is to count, why do we make a distinction between counting during the day and at night?
3
votes
1answer
134 views
Splitting Sefira Mourning Practices According to Rav Moshe Feinstein
People hold of the restrictions of the seven-week omer period (shaving and listening to music, for example) at various times: some hold approximately the first five weeks; others, approximately the ...
4
votes
3answers
137 views
5
votes
2answers
126 views
Yemenite Sefira
What is the source for the custom that Yemenite Jews people count Sefira in Aramaic? and why do they do it?
2
votes
1answer
184 views
Whats a Mimunah-מימונה?
There is a custom of those of Moroccan decent to make a "Mimunah". What does this custom entail, how did it develop, and what does it have to do with Pesach? A general overview of the Custom would be ...
2
votes
1answer
390 views
Why should A Capella music be allowed during Sefirah?
I'd like to breathe new life into, and put a new spin on, this thread: http://mi.yodeya.com/questions/1046/live-vs-recorded-music-during-the-omer
So, a series of questions:
I'm not sure how I feel ...
3
votes
1answer
92 views
women's saying a b'racha on s'firas haomer
Mishna B'rura 489:3 says women do not say a b'racha on s'firas haomer; Aruch Hashulchan 489:4 says they do. What is the practice of various Ashk'nazi communities (for example, chassidic (various ...
9
votes
2answers
153 views
Sefira Counting in Diaspora
Why don't we count two nights each night, if there was always a Safek (doubt) what the date is.
In other words: if we are not sure when the second night of Pesach is, why don't we carry that doubt ...
8
votes
3answers
960 views
Sefira Restrictions During Chol Hamoed Pesach
For those who hold sefira from the first day until the thirty-third, are the restrictions in effect during chol hamoed? While you are not allowed to cut your hair even during chol hamoed Succos, can ...
4
votes
3answers
150 views
Sefira Reminder
Does anyone know of a service that emails you a sefirah reminder,better yet a text ,for free?
6
votes
3answers
156 views
Lag Baomer - why not Laomer?
Nusach Askenaz says Baomer, Nusach Sefard and Sefardim say Laomer - Why does everyone call it Lag Baomer - why not call it Lag Laomer?
2
votes
1answer
153 views
Sefiras HaOmer - if you know that you will miss a day
Suppose someone knows that he will miss a day during Sefira (having surgery). Is it proper for him to count with a Bracha up until the day he will miss?
2
votes
1answer
320 views
Sefiras HaOmer - earliest time to count
According to Halacha what is the earliest time can you say Sefiras HaOmer each night and be Yotzei?
4
votes
4answers
190 views
Sefira Nuschaos Differences
What are the differences between the various Nuschaos in Sefiras Haomer (e.g. Ashkenaz says this, Sefard says that...)?
