Saturday, 20 May 2017

Time to Count the Omer on Friday

Question: I forgot to count the omer on Thursday night, and only remembered after davening kabbalas Shabbos. As this was before shekia, can I still continue counting with a beracha, or was it too late?

Answer: Tosafos (Menachos 66a) discusses a machlokes regarding whether one may count the omer during the day or if it must specifically be done at night. Accordingly, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 489:7) stipulates that if one misses counting at night, they should count during the next day without reciting a beracha. They may then resume counting with a beracha on subsequent nights (see Mishna Berura 489:34; Shaar Hatzion 489:45).

The Taz (OC 600:2) discusses a case where a community had not fulfilled the mitzva of hearing the shofar on the second day of Rosh Hashana, which fell on a Friday. They began davening kabbalas Shabbos early, and then someone brought them a shofar. The Taz rules that despite having already been mekabel Shabbos, they could still blow the shofar (see Taz OC 668:1).

R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 4:99:3) explains that this case illustrates that even though one has brought Shabbos in early by reciting kabbalas Shabbos, it remains the same day (Friday) regarding other halachic aspects. Therefore, in a similar scenario, one can still count the omer until shekia, and continue doing so later with a beracha. R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 4:43:8) cites multiple sources concurring that in such a case, one should count the omer for that day.

In conclusion, someone who was mekabel Shabbos early can still count the previous night’s omer before shekia. They should do so without a beracha but may continue counting on subsequent nights with a beracha.

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