**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** How does traveling affect the Misva of Sefirat Ha'omer, and what are the procedures for counting when traveling? Needless to say, if one travels within the same time zone, his counting is unaffected. He should count during the nighttime, as usual, either in his place of origin, at his destination, or in the plane. There is no requirement to count the Omer specifically in the synagogue or at home. Similarly, if one travels from New York to California, for example, his flight should not affect his count. If he leaves in the late afternoon, then he counts the Omer that night in California. A slightly more complicated situation arises when one flies from New York to the Far East during the period of the Omer, such that he loses a day. Let us consider the example of a person who takes a Monday night flight that arrives in Hong Kong on Wednesday. On Monday night, of course, he counts as usual with a Beracha. If that night is the 32nd day of the Omer, for example, then he recites the Beracha and counts the 32nd day as usual. If he is aware when the flight crosses the International Date Line, and he sees that it is nighttime, such that it is Tuesday night at his current location, then he may count the 33rd day with a Beracha. If this is too difficult for the traveler, as he cannot precisely determine when he crossed the Date Line, or he is unsure whether it is during the night when this occurs, then he should delay the counting until he arrives in Hong Kong on Wednesday during the day. He should then count the 33rd day without a Beracha, just as one does whenever he misses a counting at night but then counts during the following day. He may then resume counting with a Beracha the next night – the 34th day of the Omer – since he did not miss an entire day of counting. Thus, when one travels to the Far East and crosses the International Date Line, he has the option of either counting with a Beracha during the flight, at nighttime, after he crosses the Date Line , or waiting until he arrives at his destination during the day and counting without a Beracha. Either way, he resumes counting the next night with a Beracha. When one returns from the Far East, then he simply counts in the Far East the night he leaves, and then counts again the next night when he returns home. Needless to say, if, as a result of crossing the Date Line, he returns home on the same day on which he had counted the Omer, he does not count again, and instead waits until the next night. Summary: One who travels to the Far East during the period of the Omer has the option of either counting the Omer with a Beracha during the flight, at night, after crossing the International Date Line, or waiting until arriving at his destination, during the day, in which case he counts without a Beracha. In either case, he counts as usual with a Beracha henceforth.

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** It is customary each night during the Omer period for the Chazan to recite the Beracha and count the Omer aloud, before the congregation recites the Beracha and counts. This practice developed due to the concern that people may mistakenly count the wrong number, in which case they would not fulfill the Mitzva and would recite a Beracha Le'vatala ("wasted" Beracha). As it was assumed that Chazanim would know the correct number for the counting, the custom developed that the Chazan would first count aloud before the congregation. This practice is mentioned already by the Rashba (Rabbi Shlomo Ben Aderet, Spain, 1235-1310), in one of his responsa (126), and is discussed as well by Rabbi Chayim Palachi (Turkey, 1788-1868) in his work Mo'ed Le'kol Chai (5:19). Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (the "Ba'al Ha'tanya," Russia, 1745-1813), in his code of Halacha (Shulchan Aruch Ha'Rav, 489:12; listen to audio for precise citation), notes an interesting Halachic dilemma that results from this custom. There is a debate among the authorities as to whether a person fulfills a Mitzva by performing the given action without intending to satisfy his Mitzva obligation ("Mitzvot Tzerichot Kavana" or "Mitzvot Einan Tzerichot Kavana"). According to one view, a person fulfills his obligation regardless of whether or not he has the Mitzva in mind while performing the given act. If so, Rabbi Shneur Zalman notes, once the Chazan publicly counts the Omer, everybody who hears his counting has fulfilled their obligation of Sefirat Ha'omer. Even though they did not intend to fulfill their obligation by listening to the Chazan's counting, and the Chazan did not have in mind for his counting to fulfill their obligation, they nevertheless fulfill the Mitzva by hearing his counting. Rabbi Sheur Zalman adds that with regard to Mitzvot De'Rabbanan (obligations ordained by the Rabbis, as opposed to Torah law), all authorities agree that intention is not indispensable for the fulfillment of the Mitzva. Therefore, since we generally follow the view that Sefirat Ha'omer nowadays is required on the level of Rabbinic obligation, according to all opinions one fulfills his obligation to count by hearing the Chazan's counting. Seemingly, then, it should be forbidden to count with a Beracha after one hears the Chazan count the Omer. Since one fulfills his obligation by listening to the Chazan, even if he did not intend to fulfill his obligation in this manner, he may no longer count with a Beracha. Chacham Ovadia Yosef addresses this issue in his work Chazon Ovadia (Laws of Yom Tov, p. 228). He writes that in order to avoid this dilemma, one should verbally declare each year towards the beginning of the Sefira period that throughout the period he does not intend to fulfill his obligation by listening to somebody else's counting. By making such a declaration, one establishes that he intends on fulfilling his obligation only by personally counting the Omer, and he may thus count with a Beracha even after listening to the Chazan's counting. Summary: It is customary for the Chazan to count the Omer aloud with the Beracha before the congregation counts. One should verbally declare at the beginning of the Sefira period that throughout the Omer he intends to fulfill his obligation to count only through his personal counting, and not by listening to the Chazan or other person's counting.

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** It is customary to refrain from haircutting during the Omer period, until the 34th day of the Omer (according to Sephardic custom). Preferably, one should also refrain from shaving during this period, though there is room to be lenient in this regard for those who need to shave for professional reasons and the like. However, even those who, for whatever reason, shave during the Omer should refrain from trimming their sideburns and any other hair on their body. The leniency applies to facial hair, but not to other hair, so they should not cut their sideburns or any other hair. The exception to this rule is a case where one's moustache is overgrown and interferes with his eating. A person in this case may trim his moustache during the Omer. This applies even to those who refrain from shaving during the Omer; they may trim their moustache if it has grown to the point where it interferes with eating. It should be noted that the custom to refrain from haircutting during the Omer applies only to the customary modes of hair removal. People occasionally play with their hair, eyebrows or beards and pluck hairs. This is permissible during the Omer, since the custom relates only to the usual methods of haircutting.

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** The Shulhan Aruch writes amidst his discussion of Sefirat Ha'omer that during the Omer period, one may not sit down to a large meal within a half-hour of nightfall, the point at which he becomes obligated to count. Thus, for example, if the time for counting begins at 8:30 pm, one may not sit down to a large meal from 8:00 pm until he counts the Omer. The Rabbis were concerned that if one begins a large meal within a half-hour of the time when he must count, his involvement in the meal may cause him to forget to count. This Halacha applies only to a meal consisting of 2 oz. or more of bread. One may eat other foods or lesser amounts of bread within a half-hour of the time of Sefirat Ha'omer. The Ben Ish Hai (Rabbi Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), in his commentary to the Haggada, writes that it is possible to circumvent this Halacha by appointing a "Shomer" (literally, "watchman"), somebody to remind him to count the Omer. If a person designates somebody to remind him about the obligation to count, he may then sit down to a large meal within a half-hour of the time for counting. However, as the Ben Ish Hai emphasizes, this Halacha is subject to a number of conditions. Firstly, the "Shomer" cannot be eating a meal at the same time. If the "Shomer" also eats a meal, then we must be concerned that he will also forget to count the Omer, and his designation thus does not help ensure that the individual who appointed him will remember to count. Furthermore, the "Shomer" must be somebody who is obligated to count the Omer; otherwise, the "Shomer" is not thinking about the counting and therefore cannot be relied upon for a reminder. Therefore, a woman cannot serve as a "Shomer," since women are not obligated in the Misva of Sefirat Ha'omer. The Ben Ish Hai raises the interesting question of whether a person who had missed a complete day of counting may serve as a "Shomer." If one missed an entire night and day of counting, he continues counting the Omer but without a Beracha. The question thus arises as to whether or not we consider him somebody obligated to count, such that he is qualified to serve as a "Shomer." The Ben Ish Hai concludes that such a person may, in fact, serve as a "Shomer," since he is, after all, required to count the Omer. Some authorities maintain that each day of the Omer count constitutes a separate obligation, and therefore one who misses a day must still continue to count. For this reason, one who missed a day should continue counting, albeit without a Beracha. Since he must continue counting, the obligation is indeed on his mind, and he may therefore serve as a "Shomer" appointed to remind somebody to count after his meal. Summary: Within a half-hour of the time for Sefirat Ha'omer, one may not begin a meal in which he will eat 2 oz. or more of bread, unless he first appoints a man to remind him to count the Omer when the time arrives. That man whom he appoints must be somebody who is not eating a large meal at that point. It does not suffice to appoint a woman to remind one to count the Omer, since women are not included in the obligation of Sefirat Ha'omer.

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** The Rishonim (Medieval Halachic authorities) debate the question of whether a person can fulfill his obligation of Sefirat Ha'omer by listening to the Hazan's counting. The famous Halachic principle of "Shome'a Ke'one" establishes that a person can fulfill his obligation to recite a certain text by listening to its recitation by somebody else. So long as both parties – the person reciting the text and the listener – have in mind that the listener fulfills his obligation by hearing the recitation, he indeed fulfills the requirement in this fashion. Seemingly, then, if the Hazan has in mind when he counts the Omer that his recitation should fulfill the obligation for those listening, those in the congregation who wish to fulfill the Misva by listening to the Hazan's counting should be able to do so. Some Rishonim, however, claimed that Sefirat Ha'omer marks an exception to the rule of "Shome'a Ke'one." The Torah presents the obligation to count the Omer with the expression, "U'sfartem Lachem" ("You shall count for yourselves" – Vayikra 23:15), which suggests that it refers to a personal obligation, like the Misva of Lulab on Sukkot. If so, then one would be required to count personally, just as one must take the Lulab personally. The word "Lachem" ("for yourselves") in this verse emphasizes that each individual must count for himself, rather than hear the counting from somebody else. Other Rishonim, however, counter that the word "Lachem" means something else entirely. One might have thought that the obligation of Sefirat Ha'omer is cast solely upon Bet Din, who should count the days until Shabuot on behalf of the rest of the nation. The word "Lachem" was therefore added to instruct that each individual bears this obligation. This is not to say, however, that the standard principle of "Shome'a Ke'one" does not apply. In light of this debate, it is proper for each individual to personally count the Omer, rather than simply listen to the Hazan's counting. It must be emphasized that the Hazan customarily counts aloud before the congregation not so that the congregation fulfills its obligation through his counting, but rather to inform everybody of which number day they must count that night. Interestingly enough, the custom in Egypt was, at one point, for the congregation to count before the Hazan, in order to avoid the misconception that one can fulfill his obligation through the Hazan's counting. The Egyptian communities changed their practice, however, because people frequently counted the wrong day. In any event, one must ensure to count the Omer himself, rather than rely on the Hazan's counting. Summary: One must count the Omer personally; the Hazan customarily counts the Omer aloud before the congregation only to inform them of which number day to count, and not for them to fulfill their obligation by listening to his counting.

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** The Sha'ar Hakavanot (collection of Kabbalistic teachings) writes that after one counts the Omer – meaning, after reciting the Beracha and then counting that day's number – one should offer a prayer for the rebuilding of the Bet Hamikdash. The text of this prayer is, "Harahaman Hu Yahazir Abodat Bet Hamikdash Limkomah Bimhera Beyamenu Amen" ("The Merciful One shall restore the service of the Temple to its place, speedily and in our days, Amen"). The reason for this practice is that according to most Halachic authorities, the Misva of counting the Omer applies nowadays Mi'de'rabbanan – by force of Rabbinic enactment – as opposed to Torah law. The Torah obligation of Sefirat Ha'omer applied only in the times of the Bet Hamikdash, when we offered the special Omer sacrifice, whereas nowadays, in the absence of Bet Hamikdash, when we cannot bring this offering, our counting is only commemorative. Therefore, after we count the Omer each night, we pray to God to rebuild the Bet Hamikdash so we can offer the Korban Ha'omer, and then we will be able to count in fulfillment of the actual Misva. And even according to those authorities (such as the Rambam) who maintained that Sefirat Ha'omer is required by Torah law nowadays, we offer a prayer that the Temple will be rebuilt so we can offer the Korban Ha'omer. This also answers the question addressed by the Halachic authorities as to why we do not recite the Beracha of "Shehehiyanu" the first time we count the Omer each year. As we know, whenever we perform a Misva that presents itself on infrequent occasions, we recite the Beracha of "Shehehiyanu." Seemingly, this should apply to Sefirat Ha'omer, as well, yet Halacha does not require reciting this Beracha before the counting of the Omer. The reason is that when we count the Omer, we are mindful of the fact that we count only as a commemoration of the actual Misva, which we cannot fulfill in its true form due to the absence of the Bet Hamikdash. The counting of the Omer thus evokes a degree of sorrow, and does not warrant the recitation of the festive "Shehehiyanu" blessing. Summary: It is customary to recite immediately after Sefirat Ha'omer a brief prayer for the rebuilding of the Bet Hamikdash: "Harahaman Hu Yahazir Abodat Bet Hamikdash Limkomah Bimhera Beyamenu Amen."

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** If a person forgot to count the Omer at night, and also forgot during the following day, but remembered shortly after sundown, may he still count the Omer? Let us take the example of a person who forgot to count the 26th night of the Omer, and forgot also the following day, until a few minutes after sunset. It is obvious that he cannot count with a Beracha, since one does not recite the Beracha if he forgot to count at night and counts the following day. The question, however, is whether he can count the 26th day without a Beracha and then count the 27th day that night, after dark, with a Beracha, just as one would if he counted during the day before sundown. The 13.5-minute period immediately after sunset, which is called "Ben Ha'shemashot," is a time of "Safek" (uncertainty), which means that it is uncertain whether it is regarded as daytime or nighttime. The question thus becomes whether counting the Omer during this period fulfills the previous day's counting, or whether we must consider the possibility that the subsequent day has already begun, such that it is too late to count the previous day's counting. This issue is subject to a debate among the Halachic authorities. The Hid"a (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1806), in his Birkeh Yosef, writes that in such a case one cannot continue counting with a Beracha. Hacham Ovadia Yosef, however, in his Hazon Ovadia – Hilchot Yom Tov (p. 238), disagrees, and claims that counting the Omer during "Ben Ha'shemashot" suffices to allow one to continue counting with a Beracha. He adds, however, that a person in this case must ensure throughout the remaining nights of the Omer to count after "Ben Ha'shemashot." Since he has established that he considers this period daytime, he can no longer do the nighttime counting during "Ben Ha'shemashot," as he would then be acting in a self-contradictory manner. Rav Yaakob Haim Sofer (Baghdad-Israel, 1870-1939), in his Kaf Ha'haim (#83), writes that a person in this case should ensure henceforth to hear the Beracha recited from somebody else, rather than actually recite the Beracha, in order to satisfy all views. One who wishes to follow this stringency may certainly do so, but according to the strict Halacha, an individual in this case may continue counting with a Beracha, provided that he ensures to count after "Ben Ha'shemashot," as discussed. Summary: If one forgot to count the Omer at night and also during the next day, but he counted during the 13.5-minute period after sundown, he may continue counting on subsequent nights with a Beracha. He must, however, ensure from that point on to count after this 13.5-minute period, since he has established that he treats this period as daytime. One who wishes to be stringent and satisfy all views should try to hear the Beracha from somebody else for the rest of the Omer period, rather than recite the Beracha himself.

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** If a person is unsure whether or not he counted a day of the Omer, and cannot determine conclusively if he had counted or if he had missed that day, he continues counting the Omer each night with a Beracha. This is the explicit ruling of the Shulhan Aruch. However, this Halacha applies only in cases of general uncertainty whether or not a day of counting was missed. But if a person knows for certain that he did not count one night, and is unsure whether or not he counted during the next day, then he continues counting without a Beracha. This is the ruling of the Erech Ha'shulhan (Rabbi Yishak Taib, Tunisia, 1786-1828). Since he knows with certainty that he had not counted at night, he may not count with a Beracha unless he knows for certain that he counted during the next day. If a person knows for certain that he counted, but is unsure whether he counted the correct number, as he suspects that he might have counted incorrectly, he may continue counting with a Beracha. This is the ruling of Hacham Ovadia Yosef in Hazon Ovadia – Hilchot Yom Tob (p. 238). If one did not count the Omer until the end of the night, and he is unsure whether he counted while it was still nighttime or whether it was already the beginning of the next day, he continues counting with a Beracha. This is the ruling of the Maharash Engel (5:48).

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** A father bears the obligation to train his sons to perform the Misva of Sefirat Ha'omer once they reach the age of Hinuch (training in Misva observance), which is generally defined as approximately six or seven years of age. He should therefore recite the Beracha and count the Omer with his sons each night during Sefirat Ha'omer. Even if a child missed a day of counting, the father should nevertheless have him count on the remaining nights with a Beracha. Although an adult who misses a day of counting does not recite the Beracha when he counts on the subsequent nights, in the case of a child, he should nevertheless be taught to recite the Beracha as part of his training in the proper performance of this Misva. An interesting Halachic irony arises in the case of a boy who becomes Bar-Misva during the Omer period. We follow the position of the Behag ("Ba'al Halachot Gedolot"), that the forty-nine days of counting constitute a single Misva, such that one missed day undermines the fulfillment of the Misva even with respect to the other days. For this reason, as mentioned, a person who misses a day of counting no longer counts the Omer with a Beracha. By the same token, Hacham Ovadia Yosef rules that if a child becomes Bar-Misva during the Omer period, on the day he turns thirteen he must discontinue reciting a Beracha before counting. During the previous days of the Omer, he counted as a minor, who is not, strictly speaking, obligated in Misvot, and he has therefore not performed an official "counting" of the Omer until his thirteenth birthday, when he becomes obligated. Hence, he cannot perform the complete forty-nine-day counting – just like a person who missed a day or several days of counting. Therefore, ironically enough, even though he had been counting with a Beracha before his Bar-Misva, upon reaching the age of Bar-Misva he may no longer recite a Beracha before counting the Omer. Hacham Ben Sion Abba Shaul (Israel, 1924-1998) disagreed with this position, and held that a young man in this situation should continue counting the Omer with a Beracha. Nevertheless, in light of the fundamental rule of "Safek Berachot La'hakel" – we do not recite Berachot in situations of Halachic doubt – a boy in this situation should not recite the Beracha, in accordance with the ruling of Hacham Ovadia. Summary: A father must train his children to count the Omer each night with a Beracha once they have reached the age of Misva training. If a child missed a day of counting, he should still count with a Beracha on the subsequent nights of the Omer. If a child becomes Bar-Misva during the Omer period, he should count without a Beracha from the day he becomes Bar-Misva until the end of the Omer period.

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** When Yom Tob begins on Mosa'eh Shabbat, one may not light the Yom Tob candles until the end of Shabbat. Therefore, a woman must recite "Baruch Ha'mabdil Ben Kodesh Le'kodesh" before she lights the Yom Tob candles, unless she recited Arbit with the special insert of "Va'todi'enu," which serves as a kind of "Habdala" and formally ends Shabbat. Those who every week follow the view of Rabbenu Tam, and refrain from Melacha until 72 minutes after sundown, should do so also when Yom Tob begins on Mosa'eh Shabbat, and should not light candles until 72 minutes after sunset. When Yom Tob falls on Mosa'eh Shabbat, we combine Kiddush and Habdala, and recite the Berachot in the sequence known by the acrostic "Yaknehaz": "Yayin" ("Boreh Peri Ha'gefen" over wine), "Kiddush" ("Asher Bahar Banu…Mekadesh Yisrael Ve'ha'zmanim"), "Ner" (the Beracha over the candle), "Habdala" (the Beracha of "Ha'mabdil Ben Kodesh Le'kodesh"), and "Zeman" ("She'hehiyanu"). We do not recite the Beracha over spices ("Besamim") when Mosa'eh Shabbat is Yom Tob (Mishna Berura 473:3). The custom in our community is to recite these Berachot while standing. Although we generally sit for Habdala, we nevertheless stand for the recitation of "Yaknehaz," since it is primarily Kiddush, for which we stand. One may recite the Beracha of "Boreh Me'oreh Ha'esh" over the Yom Tob candles, since they were lit for the purpose of illumination. However, if a Yahrtzeit candle was lit in memory of a departed loved one, it should not be used for the Beracha of "Boreh Me'oreh Ha'esh," since it was not lit for illumination, but to honor the memory of the deceased. If the candle was lit with the intention that the light should be used, then one may recite the Beracha of "Boreh Me'oreh Ha'esh" over it. In general, it is preferable to recite the Beracha of "Boreh Me'oreh Ha'esh" over an "Abuka" ("torch"), which means two or more wicks holding a single flame. When Yom Tob falls on Mosa'eh Shabbat, there is a practical problem using a conventional Habdala candle, since one may not extinguish fire on Yom Tob, and thus the candle will have to be left burning until it extinguishes. Therefore, if possible, one should prepare before Shabbat a surface with two wicks with some wax underneath them. These wicks should be lit on Mosa'eh Shabbat from an existing flame, and then the Beracha can be recited over this flame, which will naturally extinguish soon thereafter once all the wax has melted. If one did not prepare these wicks before Shabbat, he should recite the Beracha of "Boreh Me'oreh Ha'esh" over one of the Yom Tob candles. One should not combine two candles together for the Beracha, as it is questionable whether it would then be permissible to separate the candles. On an ordinary Mosa'eh Shabbat, if one forgot to recite "Ata Honantanu" – which is a sort of Habdala – in the Amida in Arbit, he does not have to repeat the Amida, because he will in any event recite Habdala. However, if he then ate before reciting Habdala, Hazal imposed a "penalty" requiring this person to repeat the Amida. When Yom Tob falls on Mosa'eh Shabbat, however, one who forgot to recite "Va'todi'enu" and then ate before Habdala does not have to repeat the Amida. This is the ruling of Hacham Bension Abba Shaul (Israel, 1923-1998), who explains that whereas "Ata Honantanu" was established by the Ansheh Kenesset Ha'gedola (Men of the Great Assembly), and is thus considered part of the prayer, "Va'todi'enu" was established later, during the time of Rav and Shemuel. As such, "Va'todi'enu" is not an integral part of the Amida, and therefore the "penalty" that applies to one who forget to recite "Ata Honantanu" does not apply to one who forgot to recite "Va'todi'enu." Needless to say, however, one must make every effort to remember to recite "Va'todi'enu" and not to eat before reciting the combination of Kiddush and Habdala.