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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Peninei Halakha
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Sefirat Haomer
- The Laws of Sefirat Ha'omer
Based on the well-known rule that women are exempt from positive time-bound mitzvot, women are exempt from the mitzva of sefirat ha-omer, as it is dependent on time (see Peninei Halakha: Women’s Prayer, ch. 3, for the reason for this rule).
However, a woman who wants to perform this mitzva may do so, and she is credited for doing the mitzva. We likewise find that women customarily hear the shofar on Rosh Ha-shana and shake a lulav and sitting in the sukka on Sukkot.
However, the poskim debate the issue of the berakha. According to Shulĥan Arukh (589:6), women do not recite berakhot over such mitzvot, and this is the prevalent custom among most Sephardic women. The Ashkenazic custom follows Rema, who maintains that women who perform time-bound mitzvot may recite the berakha (see Peninei Halakha: Women’s Prayer 2:8). However, some Ashkenazic poskim rule that women should not recite a berakha when they count the omer because they do not pray Ma’ariv in the synagogue and are therefore more likely to miss a day. As we learned above, one who forgets to count a day may not continue counting with a berakha, and perhaps a particular woman will not realize that she forgot to count and will continue counting with a berakha (mb 489:3). Others say that women should not count the omer for kabbalistic reasons (Rav Pe’alim vol. 1, Sod Yesharim §12). On the other hand, still others claim that the Ashkenazic custom is for women to count (ma 489:1).
Therefore, a woman who knows that she can successfully complete the entire count, and knows to continue counting without a berakha even if she misses a day, may count with a berakha according to Ashkenazic practice. This is especially true for a woman who prays Ma’ariv every evening or whose family members are in the habit of reminding her to count. According to Ashkenazic custom, she may count with a berakha if she desires, because the chances that she will forget to count are relatively slim.
The Laws of Purim 16. Costumes and the Prohibition of Lo Yilbash
Chapter 16: The Mitzvot of Joy and Kindness
Rabbis in Midrash
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
