- Shabbat and Holidays
- The Laws of Sefirat Ha'omer
What Are the Different Customs for Observing the "Sefira?"
In commemoration of the death of Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students, we observe 33 days of semi-mourning between Pesach & Shavuot (as the students died for 33 days, until the fever broke). The 3 prevalent customs are:
1) From the start of the Omer (this Sun. Night) until Lag B'Omer; 2) From 2 Iyar until Erev Shavuot; 3) From Rosh Chodesh Iyar until the 3rd day before Shavuot.
Any of the 3 customs are acceptable, & may be changed from year to year if so desired (says Rav Moshe Feinstein).Rav Moshe also rules that guests invited to a wedding (or to the Sheva Brachot following) that falls outside their minhag may attend the Simcha & still maintain their personal count without interruption, as the wedding is a "personal Yom Tov" for Chatan & Kallah, who "draw after them" friends & family, regardless of the Minhag they follow.
1) From the start of the Omer (this Sun. Night) until Lag B'Omer; 2) From 2 Iyar until Erev Shavuot; 3) From Rosh Chodesh Iyar until the 3rd day before Shavuot.
Any of the 3 customs are acceptable, & may be changed from year to year if so desired (says Rav Moshe Feinstein).Rav Moshe also rules that guests invited to a wedding (or to the Sheva Brachot following) that falls outside their minhag may attend the Simcha & still maintain their personal count without interruption, as the wedding is a "personal Yom Tov" for Chatan & Kallah, who "draw after them" friends & family, regardless of the Minhag they follow.

The Mourning Period of Sefirah
What Are the Guidelines for Aveilus Observed During the Sefirah Weeks?
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff
11. She-heheyanu
Chapter 3: Customs of Mourning during the Omer Period
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Tishrei 30 5782
6. Until When May One Count?
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Tishrei 30 5782
Down for the Count
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Iyar 23 5780

Washing on Yom Kippur
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Tishrei 7 5778

Washing One’s Face on Yom Kippur
Rabbi Daniel Mann | 5774

Washing on Yom Kippur
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Tishrei 7 5778

Washing Hands with Soap on Yom Kippur
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tishrei 4 5776
