the mitzva (command) to count the forty-nine days from Pesach (Passover) to Shavuos (Pentecost)
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, ...
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
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)
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?
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 ...
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 ...
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
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
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 ...
7
votes
4answers
104 views
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?
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?
6
votes
2answers
586 views
shiduch date haircut during sefira
Are you allowed to get a haircut during the Omer if you are going on a shiduch date?
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 ...
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
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?
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
2answers
105 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 ...
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
74 views
Advance notice of the day of the Omer?
If I say, "Tonight will be the X night of the Omer", why is that considered as I've already counted? If I say, "G-d is blessed for creating the fruit of the tree", don't I still need to make the ...
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
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 ...
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 ...
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? ...
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
136 views
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...)?
4
votes
2answers
124 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 ...
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?
4
votes
1answer
83 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
745 views
Music on lag baomer
Are you allowed to listen to music the night of lag baomer or do you have to wait untill the day?
4
votes
1answer
40 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
848 views
Live Vs. Recorded Music during the Omer
What are Halachik reasons that some Poskim allow recorded music during the Omer, but others forbid all music?
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
70 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 ...
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
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 ...
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 ...
3
votes
3answers
651 views
Music on Rosh Chodesh Iyar?
1) Are you allowed to listen to Music on Rosh Chodesh Iyar? 1a) Does your individual Sefirah status matter such as the first half, second half or both?
3
votes
1answer
55 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
314 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
5answers
118 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?
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
54 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 ...
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?
2
votes
2answers
109 views
Kids listening to music in sefira: what age
At which age should children be trained not to listen to music during sefira.
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
183 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 ...
