COMMUNITY MAGAZINE April 2021

NISSAN - IYAR 5781 / APRIL 2021 49 I told someonewhat day it is; may I count withaberacha? When asked what day it is, it is best to respond, “Yesterday was such- and-such.” In order for one to fulfill his obligation, his counting has to be prefaced by saying, “ Today is day...” Therefore, if one did not yet count and responded, “today is day six,” he would lose his beracha . However, if he just answered “six” or “it’s six,” he may still count with a beracha . Why do we stand? When we perform certain mitsvot , such as shofar, lulav , pidyon , etc., we stand. The source of standing by mitsvot is actually from omer as the pasuk states “from the beginning of the sickle harvesting ― bakamah ― the standing crop”; the word bakamah also teaches us that we perform the mitsvot while standing. What if one becomes bar mitsvah in the middle of sefirat ha’omer? A minor who will become bar mitsvah in the middle of sefira should start counting with a beracha until he turns thirteen. After his bar mitsvah , the question arises whether it is considered that he is starting anew in the middle of the omer ; therefore, he may not be able to recite a beracha . For this FAQ, we would refer one to his rabbi. Minhagim of Sefirat Ha’omer Imagine today a rabbinical program with twenty-four thousand rabbis going to cities throughout theworld. If they had been around even one century ago, the exponential number of religious growth worldwide would be on such a grand scale, the Mashiah could come! This is how we can view the magnitude of this tragic loss of the students of Ribbi Akiva. They passed away over twenty-five hundred years ago ― they could have caused a transformation of our nation beyond epic proportions. In respect to the mourning of this period, we do not marry, have parties with music, or take haircuts, and we observe other limitations on simcha . When is the earliest time I can take a haircut, listen to music, etc.? All the customs of the sefira apply until the morning of the thirty-fourth day. Regarding music, however, the custom is to be lenient on Lag la’omer if the music is being played at a hilula for Ribbi Shimon Bar Yochai. May I buy new clothes during the days of sefira? Onemay buy newclothes during sefira . However, for clothes that require a sheheianu , it is preferable to wear them first on Shabbat and recite sheheianu then. Sheheianu on fruits may be recited even during the week. Why do we study Pirkei Avot during sefira? As mentioned, these days are counted in preparation and anticipation of receiving the Torah. We therefore learn Pirkei Avot , which motivates one to the observance of Torah and mitsvot, and to the study of the foundation for Torah ― our character traits. CORONA TESTING, WORK AND SCHOOL PHYSICALS FOR OVER 585 EAST 2ND ST. 718.435.2592 NEWLY RENOVATED OFFICE! HOUSE CALLS AVAILABLE IN BROOKLYN AND DEAL FOR COVID TESTING, ANTIBODIES, STREP TESTS, AND BLOODWORK. FOR HOUSE CALLS 718-704-7544 HOUSE CALLS|EZRA HADDAD 718.704.7544