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Sefira

Q. If a person forgot to count sefira at night and he remembered only during bein hashmashos of the next day, can he continue counting the remaining nights with a bracha?

A. He may continue counting with a bracha.*

Q. Does an alarm or app to remind one to count sefira allow one to start a meal within a half hour before shekiah?

A. Yes, however one must count sefira as soon as the alarm rings. #8041

Q. Can I make a bracha on Sefiras HaOmer after speaking to a group of children at a Lag B’Omer rally, mentioning the term “Lag B’Omer”?

A. Yes. #4174*

Q. Is it a problem to say the sefira of the day of the Omer before counting? For example: Discussing תפארת שבתפארת after shekiah but before Maariv of Beis Iyar?

A. There is no halachic issue with this. However, there is a Sicha of the Previous Rebbe (Sefer HaSichos 5708 page 223) which can be interpreted to mean there was a custom by Chassidim not to do so (although this is far from clear). #3939

Q. If my children go to bed before tzeis, how early can I count Sefiras HaOmer with them? Is there a difference between preschool age and elementary age?

A. The Alter Rebbe writes (siman 489:12) that it is appropriate to wait until tzeis hakochavim to count sefira, however, he mentions that the minhag of the average person was to rely on the opinion that one can count sefira from bein hashmashos. If one counts before bein hashmashos, they should count again without a bracha.

So, if it is difficult for your kids to stay up until tzeis hakochavim, they may count after bein hashmashos. #3858

Q. One who missed a day of counting sefira (thereby losing the bracha) but is now the Chazzan for Maariv and faces an embarrassing moment if he doesn’t make the bracha, is there a heter for him to make the bracha?

A. There are poskim who allow, especially if he is being motzi one of the listeners with the bracha. Nonetheless, even better is to allow the embarrassment and not rely on this. In other words, [there’s] no reason to be embarrassed when following the halacha. #3860

Hair-Cutting

Q. Are men allowed to trim their mustache when it interferes with the food that goes into their mouth? How about during sefira?

A. Many are lenient in this matter to trim with scissors the part of the mustache that interferes with eating. Trimming for this purpose is permitted during sefira also. #6907*

Q. Am I allowed to cut a sheitel during sefira?

A. One may cut a sheitel during sefira. #3904*

New Clothing

Q. Nowadays when we don’t say Shehechiyanu on clothing, is it still a problem to buy clothing during sefira? What about jewelry, coats, shoes or accessories?

A. There is a minhag* with sources in early poskim to not buy clothing during Sefiras HaOmer (except for Lag B’Omer). However, in a pressing situation (i.e., where one will have a financial loss, or they will be uncomfortable until new clothing is bought) and one can’t wait until Shavuos, one may buy clothing during sefira (however it is best if it is first worn on Shabbos or Lag B’Omer).

All this applies to clothing that are considered “chashuv.” However, regarding clothing which are less significant, there is more room to be lenient. Regular weekday garments are not considered “chashuv.” Jewelry and shoes are not considered clothing in this context.

*Although not mentioned in Shulchan Aruch, this minhag is rooted, as mentioned, in early poskim, including the Leket Yosher – in the Minhagim of the Baal Terumas Hadeshen and Teshuvos U’Psokim Chachmei Ashkenaz – siman 69. #3848

Q. If a girl does not have enough properly tznius clothing and is therefore dressing not tznius, is she allowed to buy proper clothing during sefira?

Most certainly. There is NO dispensation ever for wearing non-tznius clothing.

On the other hand, not wearing new clothing during sefira is merely a custom and is waived where it is done for the purpose of a mitzva, especially such an important mitzva which involves also many potential issurim.

True, it is a minhag with sources in early poskim to not buy clothing during Sefiras HaOmer (except for Lag B’Omer). However, in any pressing situation (i.e. where one will have a financial loss or they will be uncomfortable until new clothing are bought) and one cannot wait until Shavuos, one may buy clothing during sefira. In this case, there is no reason to wait and new clothing should be purchased immediately. #3863

Q. Can one make a Shehechiyanu on the birth of a baby girl during Sefiras HaOmer?

A. Yes. #3815*

* References are available for this Halacha on: www.Halacha2Go.com and www.AskTheRav.com

Please note that these halachos apply in general situations, if you are unsure whether the halacha applies to your particular situation, please consult a Rov.

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