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What are the main differences (besides the wording of the Omer-counting itself) between the Sepharadic and Ashkenazi customs during Omer?

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  • One striking difference is Ashkenazim place the word "in the Omer" at the end of the count (after the weeks parts), whereas Sefardim place it after the days part before the weeks part.
    – Double AA
    May 14, 2015 at 2:58
  • Also, IIRC, Sephardim continue to mourn on Lag Ba'omer, whereas Ashkenazim stop beforehand.
    – Ypnypn
    May 14, 2015 at 4:24
  • @Ypnypn *whereas Ashkenazim stop the mourning in the morning of Lag Ba'omer.
    – Double AA
    May 14, 2015 at 5:08
  • @DoubleAA judaism.stackexchange.com/q/6508
    – msh210
    May 14, 2015 at 5:13
  • @msh210 Perhaps merge that hither?
    – Double AA
    May 14, 2015 at 5:15

1 Answer 1

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A large proportion of Ashenazim use a mourning period from the first day of Rosh Chodesh Iyar until the 3rd of Sivan (although Lag B'Omer itself is a "window", a one-day respite from mourning).

This is in memory of the Crusades that happened during this period and in general affected Ashkenazi communities.

Ashkenazim therefore also recite "Av Harachamim" on the Shabbat immediately before Rosh Chodesh Sivan and the one between Rosh Chodesh Sivan and Shavuot (if there is one) even though one would not normally recite it on those days due to M'varchin Hachodesh and a period in which Tachanun is not recited.

It is not universal but as far as I'm aware, using this as the period of mourning is not prominent among Sefardim who use the more "traditional" period from Pesach until the Lag B'Omer (many include Lag B'Omer itself and lift the restrictions the day after)

Here is a Chabad source:

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/277597/jewish/Omer-Mourning-Observances.htm

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