Counting the Omer Explained: Laws and Practical Guide

1. When Does the Counting of the Omer Begin?

The Torah states: “You shall count for yourselves from the day after the Shabbat, from the day you bring the Omer offering, seven complete weeks shall there be” (Vayikra 23:15). Our Sages explained that “the day after the Shabbat” refers to the day after the first day of Passover, which is a festival day.

Therefore, the commandment to count the Omer begins on the night of the 16th of Nisan and continues for seven complete weeks.

2. Is Counting the Omer a Biblical Commandment or Rabbinic?

Today, when we no longer have the Omer harvest or the Omer offering that was brought in the Temple on the 16th of Nisan, the mitzvah of counting the Omer is considered rabbinic. It is observed as a remembrance of the Temple, which is the opinion of most halachic authorities.

For this reason, some recommend omitting from the “Leshem Yichud” declaration before counting the phrase that states we are fulfilling a Torah commandment, since today the obligation is rabbinic.

Those who nevertheless recite the verse “You shall count for yourselves… seven complete weeks” on the final day of the Omer have authorities on whom they can rely, and they may still count the Omer afterward with a blessing. However, ideally the verse should be omitted and it is sufficient to say that we are coming to fulfill the mitzvah of counting the Omer.

3. Why Was Counting the Omer Established for All Generations?

When the Jewish people left Egypt, they were informed that they would receive the Torah after fifty days, as hinted in the verse: “When you bring the people out of Egypt, you will serve God on this mountain.” The extra letter nun in the Hebrew word for “you will serve” hints to the number fifty.

Because of their great love for the Torah, the Israelites counted every day with anticipation. They would say: one day has passed, two days have passed, three days, four days, and so on. Their longing to receive the Torah made the wait seem very long. For this reason, the practice of counting was established for future generations.

Rabbi Yehuda HaChasid added another explanation. Since these days were the agricultural season when farmers worked in the fields and might not know whether the months were full or shorter months, the Torah instructed them simply to count fifty days until the sacred festival.

4. What If I Made a Mistake in My Mind While Saying the Blessing?

If someone recited the blessing for counting the Omer but mistakenly thought it was a different day and then remembered the correct count before actually counting, they should simply continue and count correctly without repeating the blessing.

5. On Saturday Night, What Comes First: Havdalah or Counting the Omer?

On Saturday night the Omer is counted before Havdalah. The same applies when the final day of Passover falls on Saturday night.

6. What Blessing Is Recited Before Counting?

Before counting, the following blessing is recited: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.”

Even though today the mitzvah is rabbinic, we still say “who commanded us,” because the Torah instructs us to follow the rulings of the Sages. Therefore the blessing is appropriate, just as we recite similar blessings for rabbinic mitzvot such as lighting Chanukah candles or washing hands.

If someone counted the Omer without saying the blessing, they have still fulfilled the obligation.

7. Can Someone Who Does Not Understand Hebrew Count in Another Language?

The mitzvah of counting the Omer may be performed in any language that a person understands. Even when counting in Hebrew, one should ideally understand the meaning.

If a person does not understand Hebrew and counted in Hebrew, they have not fulfilled the mitzvah and should count again in a language they understand, but without repeating the blessing.

8. Are Women Required to Count the Omer?

Women are exempt from counting the Omer because it is a time dependent commandment. In general, women are exempt from positive commandments that apply only at specific times.

If they wish, they may count without a blessing. However, according to this opinion they should not recite the blessing. According to mystical teachings, it is preferable that women do not count the Omer at all. This is the Sephardic custom.

9. Should Children Be Educated to Count the Omer?

It is a mitzvah to train children to count the Omer each day, and they should be taught to count with a blessing.

If a child forgets to count on one of the nights, they may continue counting with a blessing for the sake of education, so that they become accustomed to fulfilling the mitzvah properly when they grow older.

10. Should One Stand While Counting the Omer?

The mitzvah of counting the Omer should ideally be performed while standing. The Sages supported this idea from the verse: “From the time the sickle begins in the standing grain you shall begin to count seven weeks.” They interpreted the word for grain as also hinting to standing upright.

Nevertheless, if someone counted while sitting, they have fulfilled the obligation.

An elderly or ill person who finds it difficult to stand may count while sitting from the outset, since a situation of difficulty is treated as though it were after the fact.

11. Can Someone Fulfill the Mitzvah by Listening to the Cantor?

Ideally, every individual should count the Omer personally, as the Torah says, “You shall count for yourselves,” implying that each person should count.

However, if someone intends to fulfill the obligation by listening to the cantor and the cantor intends to include them, they may fulfill the mitzvah through listening, since hearing is considered equivalent to responding.

Because there is debate among halachic authorities about whether mitzvot require conscious intention, it is advisable for a person to state at the beginning of the Omer period that they intend not to fulfill the mitzvah through hearing someone else’s counting, but only when they count it themselves.

12. When Is the Omer Counted?

The Omer is counted at night. If someone forgets to count at the beginning of the night, they may count at any time during the night.

Ideally, it should be counted after the appearance of the stars. However, if a congregation finishes the evening prayer immediately after sunset and there is concern that people may forget to count later, they may count during twilight with a blessing since the mitzvah today is rabbinic.

However, before sunset it may not be counted under any circumstances.

If someone normally counts after nightfall but is praying with a congregation that counts earlier, they may count with the congregation without a blessing and mentally stipulate that if they remember later at night they will count again with a blessing.

13. What Is Said After Counting?

After counting the Omer it is customary to say: “May the Merciful One restore the Temple service to its place speedily in our days,” since today the counting serves as a remembrance of the Temple.

Many communities also recite the psalm “Lamnatzeach” and the prayer “Ana Bekoach.”

14. What If I Remember in the Morning That I Did Not Count at Night?

If someone remembers during the following day that they forgot to count the night before, they should count during the day without a blessing. They may then continue counting on the following nights with a blessing.

15. What If I Forgot to Count at Night and Also During the Following Day?

If someone forgot to count both the night and the entire following day, they may no longer continue counting with a blessing for the rest of the Omer. However, they should continue counting without a blessing.

16. What If I Discovered the Next Night That My Count Was Wrong?

If someone made a mistake in the count and only realized it the following night, it is considered as though they did not count at all. In that case they may no longer continue counting with a blessing.

However, if they realized the mistake during the day, they should count during the day without a blessing and may then continue counting with a blessing afterward.

17. How Should You Answer If Someone Asks “What Day of the Omer Is It?”

If someone asks after sunset, “What day of the Omer is tonight?” it is preferable to answer by saying what yesterday’s count was.

If you respond by saying the correct count for today, even in another language, you may lose the ability to recite the blessing later because you have already fulfilled the mitzvah by stating the count.

However, if you mention only the number without saying the word “today,” you may still count later with a blessing.

18. Is There a Time When One Should Avoid Eating Before Counting the Omer?

Beginning half an hour before sunset, one should not begin a meal that includes bread or cake in a quantity greater than the size of an egg until the Omer has been counted.

If the meal began earlier in a permitted way, there is no need to interrupt the meal when the time for counting arrives. One may finish the meal and count afterward. However, if someone began the meal during the prohibited time, they should pause briefly to count the Omer.

It is permitted to eat fruit or small snacks before counting, and even bread or cake up to the size of an egg, approximately fifty grams.