Answer: The Beis Yosef (OC 489:1) writes that
there is a machlokes as to whether one may count the sefira
during bein hashemashos (the time between shekia, sunset, and nacht,
nightfall). Tosafos (Menachos 66a), the Rosh (Pesachim 10:40) and Tur (OC
489:1) maintain that as counting is only miderabanan nowadays, one may
count before nacht. The Ran (Pesachim 28a) and Rambam (Temidin U’musafin
7:22) however write that one should wait until nacht. Following this, the
Mishna Berura (489:14) writes that ideally one should wait until nacht to
count.
The Shulchan Aruch (OC 489:1) writes that one should count the sefira
after maariv. The Mishna Berura (Biur Halacha 489:1) quotes R’ Yaakov
Emden (Mor Uketzia 489:1) who explains that the reason we count after maariv is
because people used to daven maariv before nacht. Accordingly,
one davening maariv later would count the sefira first (See Shevet
Halevi 6:53:3).
R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 4:99:1) however, writes that we follow R’ Yaakov Reischer (Chok
Yaakov 489:16) who explains that the reason is because we follow the
rule of tadir kodem, giving precedence
to the more common mitzva. The only reason we count the sefira
before reciting kiddush and havdala is because those must
be done at home while it is ideal to count the sefira together with
others in shul.
Likewise, the Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 489:16) writes that while one
may count as soon as it’s nacht, it is best to do so after maariv.
In conclusion, one should ideally daven maariv at nacht
followed by the sefira.
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