the mitzva (command) to count the forty-nine days from Pesach (Passover) to Shavuos (Pentecost)
11
votes
5answers
420 views
Halakhic International Date Line issues
According to halakha, where is the international date line?
More specifically, I have heard that some people say you should observe Shabbat on Sunday in Japan & New Zealand and/or on Friday in ...
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
959 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 ...
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 ...
12
votes
4answers
306 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, ...
8
votes
3answers
190 views
Bar Mitzva during S'fira
If someone has his bar mitzva during s'firas haomer and said the bracha every night so far, can he still make a bracha? (I will be asking a Rav for the actual P'sak Halacha)
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 ...
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 ...
7
votes
2answers
655 views
If someone needs to shave during Sefirah or Three Weeks because of work, should he also shave before Shabbos?
If someone needs to shave during Sefirah or Three Weeks because of work, should he also shave before Shabbos?
It seems strange to shave for M-F, but to go into Shabbos with stubble. On the other ...
5
votes
3answers
146 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
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, ...
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?
4
votes
3answers
136 views
3
votes
1answer
88 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 ...
3
votes
3answers
394 views
Is it o.k. to watch “American Idol” during the Omer and the Three Weeks?
Many Poskim who permit listening of music year-round prohibit it during the Omer and the Three Weeks. Is it ok to watch American Idol during these periods of time, according to the opinions who permit ...
2
votes
1answer
64 views
Why did the Shulchan Aruch hold of waiting 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
386 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 ...
1
vote
0answers
28 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 ...
