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(non)Counting of the Omer
I remember from when I was in elementary school that we try very carefully NOT to count the omer before we count the omer. We refer to the current count by stating what yesterday's count was.
But what if someone was not that careful -- has he competed that day's count?
If I am walking outside at night, not having davened yet, and someone asks me what the count is and I say "tonight, we count 3" and then I get back to my place and lie down for a minute (tuckered out from my walk) and end up sleeping through the night.
The next evening, can I continue to count with a bracha (because my inadvertent count is acceptable as a mode of counting) or may I not count with a bracha because my intent wasn't proper (in which case, why are qwe cautious about mentioning the count)?
1 answer
As I understand it, generally speaking:
- If you count the correct number of days (ideally also weeks, but days is the most important) in any way (e.g., "tonight we count...") after Tzeis Hacochavim (3 stars) then you have fulfilled the Mitzvah for that day. Which means you can't count later that day with a Bracha but absolutely no problem continuing the next night with a Bracha.
- If you count the correct number of days for the coming night between Shkia (sunset) and Tzeis Hacochavim then there is a doubt as to whether you have fulfilled the Mitzvah for that day. Which means you can't count later that day with a Bracha. You can either count without a Bracha, later that day, or you can listen to someone else's Bracha and answer Amen and then count yourself. If you count (with or without someone else's Bracha) then you have absolutely no problem continuing the next night with a Bracha.
Where there is a problem is if you only count between Shkia and Tzeis Hacochavim and do not count any time later that night or during the day. Then you have a real question as to whether you have counted properly or not, and the answer may vary depending on other factors, including local practices. Ask your local Rabbi.
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