SEFIRAT HAOMER: The Mitzva of Counting the Omer

Today is the 24th day of Nisan, 5771, 9 days of Omer (1 week, 2 days)

From the second day of Pesach until the Holiday of Shabuot, we count 49 days / seven weeks. Every night, when the new Jewish day begins, we pronounce a blessing and proceed to count that specific day and. After the sixth day we count also the weeks. Today, for example, we counted nine days of Omer, which are one week and two days.

The counting of the days of Omer connect between the exodus from Egypt --when we got our physical, political and legal freedom after being slaves of Pharaoh for so many generations-- with the giving of the Torah, or more specifically: the beginning of our pact with God, which conditions, clauses and articles are stipulated in the Torah.

Originally, the days of Omer are meant to be days of happiness, when we count, enthusiastically, every day until our final goal was achieved: to become, out of our own will, the People of God. The days of Omer are compared with a bride and a groom, who having established the date for their wedding, count enthusiastically every day until the wedding night.

For a deeper understanding of the change in the popular vision of the days of Sefirat haOmer see here. http://www.aish.com/tp/i/moha/48943991.html

Women are exempted from the counting of the Omer, but they can still count it without pronouncing the Berakha.

If one forgets to count the day at night, one could count it during daytime until sunset, but without reciting the blessing for that day.

If one forgets to count one day completely, then he can count during the following days, but without pronouncing the blessing anymore.

For a summary of Minhaguim of Sefirat haOmer, see here: http://rabbibitton.blogspot.com/search/label/Omer%202011

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

MINHAGUIM OF SEFIRAT HAOMER

From the end of Pesach until the 33rd day of the Omer we have the tradition of keeping certain customs of mourning, in memory of the twenty-four thousand students of rabbi Aqiba who died in that period of time in the years 130 ACE.

1. Weddings or engagements are not allowed during the days of the Sefira, but in many communities it is customary to allow an engagement to take place during Rosh Chodesh Iyar.

2. The first day to allow the performance of a wedding, according to the Sephardic Minhag, is on the 34th day of the Omer while for the Ashkenazi Minhag is on the 33rd.

3. Men are not allowed to get a haircut during the days of the Sefira until the 34th day of the Omer. Women are not subject to any restrictions regarding their hair.

4. It is customary not to wear any new clothing for which one would regularly say the Berakha Sheheheyanu. Since this custom is not mentioned in the Shulhan Arukh there is some leniency to it. For example: If a specific new garment will not be available after the Omer or if the price will increase after Lag laOmer it is permitted to acquire the new clothing. If the new clothing is much needed it can be worn on Shabbat for the first time, saying Sheheheyanu for it. Buying new clothing for a wedding is permitted, for the bride the groom and their immediate family. Buying new clothing for a Brit Milah is also permitted for the family.

5. Buying a new house is permitted, but if possible, one should move into it only after Lag laOmer. If one does not have a house or an office he can move into the new property even before Lag laOmer. It is NOT forbidden to make a contract or a closing for a house during these days.

6. During these days one should avoid listen to live music and/or going to a movie theater.

7. In our community the celebration of Yom haAtzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, which commemorates the anniversary of the re-establishment of the State of Israel overrides the mourning restrictions of the Omer period, thus we celebrate that day with joyous prayers, banquettes, dancing and music.

It is important to notice that all the restrictions we follow in the days of Omer are not associated with any superstitious notions of bad luck or bad Mazal. These Minhaguim are related exclusively to the mourning we keep, honoring the memory of the students of rabbi Aqiba.

Chag haPesach Sameach!!!

Today is the 14th day of Nisan, 5771

For information about today, Erev Pesach (Pesach Eve) see:
http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/timetableforpesach.pdf

For times of candle lighting, and Services in all our Minyanim during Pesach, see
http://www.kanissanews.com/

For Educational Pesach Games to use during the Seder (best: at the time of dinner!)
see: http://www.simchatyechiel.org/english/pesach.html

ALL MINHAGUIM FOR OMER APPLY ONLY AFTER PESACH.
For a short review from previous year see:
http://rabbibitton.blogspot.com/2010/04/minhaguim-of-sefirat-haomer-today-is.html

Halakha of the day will resume, B'H after Pesach.

Chag Sameach!!!

PESACH and OMER LINKS!!!!

COMPLETE PRINTABLE PESACH GUIDE w/INSTRUCTIONS FOR SEDER, FAST OF FIRSTBORN, PESACH
OUT OF TOWN, MASHADI CUSTOMS, etc.
http://www.hachodesh.com/Sephardic_Guide_for_Pesach_2011.pdf

LIST OF AUTHORIZED FOR PESACH NON-CHAMETZ PRODUCTS
http://www.hachodesh.com/Pesach_Non-Chametz_Products_2011.pdf

BBM REMINDER OF SEFIRAT HAOMER (Thanks to Shlomo Nouriely!)
http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/bbomer.pdf

EMAIL REMINDER SERVICE FOR OMER (Thanks to Farshad Kalaty)
www.mashadi.org/omer

OMER SHEET FROM HACHODESH (Thanks to Mehran Etessami) http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/omersheet.pdf

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024