Counting the Omer After Maariv
Question: If I daven maariv some time after nacht , should I wait to count the omer or count as soon as it is nacht ? Answer: According to the Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 489:3), while one can count the omer any time during the night, lechatchila , one should count as soon as it is nacht . Therefore, the Mishna Berura (489:2) writes that it is customary to count the omer before saying aleinu to fulfil the mitzva as early as possible. The Magen Avraham (489:7) and Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 489:16) permit counting the omer before maariv, even on Motzaei Shabbos when extending Shabbos. However, it is recommended to daven maariv first, following the principle of ' tadir ve’sheino tadir, tadir kodem ', (giving precedence to the more frequent mitzva ). Since sefiras haomer occurs less frequently than kerias shema , one should prioritise reciting the shema first. The Mishna Berura (Biur Halacha 489:1) provides two reasons as to why counting the omer used to be delayed. The Chok ...