1) If one forgot to count Sefirah one night, he/she should count during that day (without a Bracha) and then can resume counting the following night with a Bracha.
However, if one didn't remember to count on that day and sunset of the next day arrived, he/she must count the remainder of the Sefirah days without a Bracha, and preferably hear the Bracha from someone else who is counting.
The above Halacha is only if you are certain that you forgot to count on one of the nights. However, if you are unsure (Safek) if you missed a night, you may continue the rest of the Sefirah counting with a Bracha. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 489:8. See also Mishna Berura S"K 34. For more intricate details see Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 4 Siman 93:3 and Shu"t Minchas Yitzchak Vol. 9 Siman 57 and Kaf HaChaim Siman 489:82)
2) There is a debate amongst the Poskim regarding one who knows that he/she will miss one (or more) days of counting the Sefirah (due to being under the operating knife R"L , or any other reason) if they may begin counting with a Bracha in the first place (as there is an opinion in the Rishonim that one who misses one day of counting renders all his/her previous Brachos as Brachos L'Vatalah (L'mafrea), blessings in vain)
The consensus of most Poskim, however, is that one may indeed begin counting with a Bracha, and only after that day is missed, will they have to continue without a Bracha, and all the previous Brachos will not be rendered "in vain". (See Halichos Shlomo page 357, Shu"t Ohr L'Tzion Vol. 1 Siman 36. This is also the opinion of Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita and many other contemporary Poskim)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
I went to bed early last night before counting the omer.
I wasn't sure if I would get up later in the night, so I thought to myself that it was such and such of the omer. I didn't wake up again until the morning, but then I forgot to count properly. Now it is the next night, am I able to resume counting with a bracha or not?
Answer:
Once the entire day passed without you counting, and it is already the next night, you can no longer count with a bracha. "thinking" the sefirah does not suffice
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
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THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk Corner
Maran HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita
There is no Joy like the Joy of Torah.
There is no fulfillment like that provided by living according to the Torah.
The "Joys" of the secular world are empty and short lived.
True contentment, happiness, fulfillment and joy is the joy of Torah.
The non- Torah lifestyle leads to depression or worse; it's not truly living.
Important Numbers
