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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Peninei Halakha
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Sefirat Haomer
- The Laws of Sefirat Ha'omer
A fundamental question about sefirat ha-omer is whether the mitzva is mandated by Torah law or rabbinical enactment while the Temple no longer stands. The Torah says, "And from the day on which you bring the omer of elevation offering – the day after the "Shabbat" – you shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete" (Vayikra 23:15).
According to Rosh, Ran, and many other Rishonim, the Torah commandment to count the omer applies only when the omer offering is brought on the sixteenth of Nisan in the Temple. Today, however, when we do not bring this offering, the mitzva is only mandated rabbinically. The Sages enacted that we continue performing this mitzva in commemoration of the sefirat ha-omer that was practiced in the time of the Temple. For this reason, right after counting, we customarily recite a short prayer for the rebuilding of the Temple. After all, when the Temple is rebuilt, we will once again be fulfilling a Torah commandment by performing this mitzva, not merely a rabbinic decree.
However, Rambam and Raavya maintain that the omer offering is mentioned in the verse only to teach us the date on which we begin to count the omer. It is not a necessary condition for the fulfillment of the mitzva. Therefore, the Torah commandment of sefirat ha-omer applies even today, when the Temple is in ruins and we are unable to bring the omer offering.
The practical ramifications of this dispute concerns situations of uncertainty. For example, if one counts during bein ha-shmashot (twilight, between shki’a and tzeit) it is questionable whether he fulfills the mitzva of sefirat ha-omer. If we consider bein ha-shmashot day, he does not fulfill his obligation, because the time for the next day’s count did not yet arrive. If we consider it night, however, he fulfills his obligation. Shulĥan Arukh (489:2) and the majority of poskim maintain that one who counts during bein ha-shmashot fulfills his obligation, because, in their opinion, sefirat ha-omer is a rabbinic mitzva nowadays, and we rule leniently in cases of uncertainty about a rabbinic law. However, many Aĥaronim write that it is proper to act strictly and count again, without a berakha, after tzeit, in order to fulfill the mitzva even according to those who maintain that sefirat ha-omer is a Torah commandment nowadays, and thus one must act strictly in cases of uncertainty (Eliya Rabba; mb 489:15; bhl 489:1, s.v. "lispor ha-omer").
Peninei Halakha 8. In Which Cases May One Recite She-heheyanu?
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
Rabbis in Midrash
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
