COMMUNITY MAGAZINE April 2021

48 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE The days from Pesah to Shavuot are counted in anticipation and preparation for the goal of yesiat Misrayim ― leaving Egypt and receiving the Torah. Regarding Avraham Avinu it is written, “And Avraham became old, coming in days.” This refers to the greatness of Avraham Avinu, that as he grew older he came into every day with a renewed sense of purpose, as each day was another step to achieve more. Sefirat ha’omer is a time to prepare for Shavuot when we accept the Torah. We can master that greatness, one day at a time. The counting should be accompanied by a plan that one can visualize and have a takeaway of a tangible accomplishment like each day of Avraham Avinu. We should make every day that we count ― count. Can I recite the beracha and then repeat the proper day after the person next to me? Like all berachot , before one begins to say the beracha , he should know what specifically he is saying it about, i.e. before reciting ha’ets , he should preferably know exactly which fruit he is reciting the beracha upon and even hold it in his hand. Therefore, one should preferably know the correct day before he starts to make the beracha . Another important point is that one should realize what number he is counting. It is not merely about saying certain words that fulfills the mitsvah , but rather one must understand the number counted. I mistakenly counted the wrong number; do I recite a new beracha? One who counted the wrong day did not fulfill his obligation and is required to count againwith a beracha . If themistakewas realized immediately ―within approximately one and a half seconds ― the correct day should be recited without a beracha . After that time, he will need to recite a new beracha and count. When is the best time to count? One should count right after nightfall, which is approximately forty minutes after sunset, so that he is counting the entire coming day. If one is concerned that he will forget to count, then already after sunset one may count with a beracha . One who did not count at night, counts by day without a beracha and then on subsequent nights continues to count again with a beracha . Therefore, we have a custom to mention the count during Shaharit , so that one who forgot to count the previous night will fulfill his obligation then, in the morning. Can I eat supper before counting? From a half hour before the time of a mitsvah , such as tefillah , keriat shema , and counting sefirat ha’omer , one may not eat more than a k’beitsah (50 grams) of bread or mezonot . Other foods, including rice, chicken, meat, etc., may be eaten even in larger quantities. However, if one appoints a family member or friend who is not eating to remind him to count after his meal, he would be allowed to eat a full meal of bread or mezonot . I am not sure if I missed a day, do I continue? According to some opinions, the forty-nine days of sefirat ha’omer require a continuous counting without missing a day. In deference to this opinion, one who misses a day, although he will lose saying the beracha , is required to continue to count on the following nights without a beracha . However, if one is not sure if he missed a day or not, he may continue his counting with a beracha. I always end up missing a day! May I start counting with a beracha? Yes. Before a day is actually missed, one would still count with a beracha even if he knows that he will definitely miss a day. Therefore, if someone has a scheduled surgery or something that will prevent him from counting a complete day of the omer , he should begin to count with a beracha . Do women and children count the omer? Young boys should be taught to count once they reach the age of hinuch ― six years old , like every other mitsvah . A minor who missed a night of counting is different from an adult and should continue to count with a beracha . However, women do not count at all, even without a beracha . RABBI MOSHE ARKING – AVE. O SYNAGOGUE RABBI HAYIM ASHER ARKING – OHR HALACHA Sefirat Ha’omer