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Sefirat HaOmer

2013-04-29T16:27:39Z

Ydeutscher:

[[Image:Sefirah.jpg|thumb|right|The first day of the Omer on Bet Midrash Gavoha's Sefira Calendar]]
There is a Torah obligation to count the days of the Omer stated in the Pasuk <ref>(Vayikra 23:15-16) </ref> as follows: וספרתם לכם ממחרת השבת מיום הביאכם את עמר התנופה שבע שבתות תמימת תהיינה: עד ממחרת השבת השביעת תספרו חמשים יום והקרבתם מנחה חדשה ליהוה:. The Mitzvah is to count 49 days (counting the days and the weeks) from the second day of [[Pesach]] (when the Korban HaOmer was brought) until Shavuot. The mitzvah applies nowadays. <Ref> Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvah Mitzvot Aseh #161) counts this as one mitzvah to count days and weeks and not as two separate mitzvot, seemingly based on the gemara menachot 66a. See Tosfot Menachot 65b s.v. Ketuv who asks why we only count 49 days when the Pasuk says to count 50 days and answers that the pasuk doesn't mean from the Korban Omer until the day after Ha[[Shabbat]] HaShevit count 50 days but rather means to from the Korban Omer until the day after Hashabbat HaShevit which is the 50th day one should count (up to but not including). Alternatively Tosfot answers that the command to count to the number 50 in the pasuk refers to when the Korban Shtei HaLechem is brought and not the count of the Omer. </ref>

==Procedure of counting Sefirat HaOmer==
# The Bracha to be said before counting the Omer is ברוך אתה ה' אלוקינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על ספירת העומר - Baruch Atta Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam Asher Kideshanu BeMitzvotav VeTzivanu Al Sefirat HaOmer.<reF>Levush 489:1 records the text of the Bracha to be said before counting the sefira as Al Sefirat HaOmer. This is also evident from S"A 489:2</ref>
#One should say the Sefirat HaOmer standing. <Ref>S”A 489:1 based on the Rosh (Pesachim 10:41e) and Rambam (Temidin UMusafin 7:23) write that Sefirat HaOmer should be said standing. So rules S”A 489:1 that you need to stand. Rambam adds that, if one did say it while seated you’re also yotseh. So rules Mishna Brurah 489:6. Mishna Brurah adds that you should stand also for the Bracha. </ref>
==When to count Sefira==
# According to most poskim, it is correct to wait until Tzet Hakochavim in order to count sefirat haomer; however, one fulfills his obligation by counting after sunset. <Ref>
* Tosfot (Menachot 66a) has one opinion who says that one may count sefira during Bein HaShemashot since sefira is only derabbanan. Rosh (Pesachim 10:40) and Tur 489:1 agree. However, the Ran (Pesachim 28a) argues that it’s not proper to enter a safek initially. Similarly, Rambam (Temidin UMusafin 7:22) rules that sefira should be counted at night.
* Bet Yosef 489:1 quotes this dispute, and his ruling in S”A is unclear. Mishna Brurah 489:14 understands that S”A holds that the halacha follows Tosfot but that it is proper to wait until Tzet Hakochavim. Chazon Ovadyah (p. 232) agrees.
* After the fact, if one counted during Bein HaShemashot, Magan Avraham 489:6 writes that he has fulfilled his obligation. Beiur HaGra 489:3 and Mishna Brurah 489:15 agree. However, Eliyah Rabba 489:10 argues that one should count again after Tzet Hakochavim without a Bracha. </ref>
# If one is praying in a minyan that finishes maariv after sunset and one wants to count after Tzet Hakochavim, he should count then without a Bracha and mentally stipulate, "if I don't remember to count with a bracha then this counting should fulfill my obligation, however, if I remember later then I have intent not to fulfill my obligation with this counting." If one in fact remembers, he should count after Tzet Hakochavim with a Bracha. <ref>
* The Avudraham (Tefillot HaPesach) writes that if one prays with an early minyan, he should count without a Bracha, and if he remembers later, he should count with a Bracha. S"A 489:3 codifies this as the halacha. Taz 489:6 and Beiur HaGra 489:3 explain that the case is where the minyan finished during Bein HaShemashot.
* Mishnah Brurah 489:17 writes that if one wants to count after Tzet Hakochavim, he should count with the minyan without a Bracha and have in mind that if he remembers later to count with a Bracha, this original counting shouldn’t fulfill his obligation. Hagahot Rabbi Akiva Eiger 46:16 and Aruch HaShulchan 489:8 agree. Chazon Ovadyah (Yom Tov p. 233-4) adds that the stipulation should be "if I don't remember to count with a bracha then this counting should fulfill my obligation, however, if I remember later then I have intent not to fulfill my obligation with this counting." However, the Taz writes that making such a condition doesn’t work.
* See, however, the Levush 489:3, who explains that the case is where the minyan finished before sunset, and the reason they counted was for Amei HaAretz who wouldn’t count later at night. </ref>
# If one is going to pray maariv with a minyan that is late at night, some poskim hold that one should wait to count with the minyan, while others say that one should count at Tzet Hakochavim. <Ref>
* S”A 489:1 writes that on the second night of Pesach, one should count sefira after maariv. The Chok Yaakov 489:16 explains that this is based on the halacha of giving precedence to the more common activity (Tadir). However, Mor UKetziah 489:1 argues that Tadir doesn’t apply here since sefira is deoraitta, or at least the mitzvah is explicit in the pasuk even though nowadays it’s derabbanan, while tefillah is entirely derabbanan. Thus, he explains that sefira must be said in the beginning of the night (Tzet Hakochavim) because one shouldn’t delay a mitzvah.
* Sh”t Igrot Moshe 4:99(1) defends the Chok Yaakov and writes that one must wait to count sefira after maariv even if he prays later in the night. Rav Elyashiv (quoted by Piskei Shemuot p. 18) agrees. On the other hand, Shevet HaLevi 6:53(3) agrees with the Mor UKetziah and says that if one is going to daven in a late minyan, he should count by himself earlier, but he defends the minhag to wait to count with the minyan because otherwise many people would forget to count. Similarly, Halichot Shlomo (Tefilaa 16:16) also writes that the minhag is not to eat from the time of Sefirat HaOmer, and even if one still didn't pray Maariv, one should count the sefira. </ref>
# If one counted during the day (before Plag Mincha) one has not fulfilled one’s obligation even if one Davened Mariv early and one must count it again that night with a Bracha. <Ref>S”A 489:2, Mishna Brurah 489:13, Biur Halacha 489:3 D”H MeBeOd Yom</ref>However, because of a minority opinion who says one did fulfill one's obligation, some say one should count again at night without a bracha. <ref>Kaf HaChaim 489:47</reF>
# If one said Mariv before Shekiyah after Plag Mincha one shouldn’t count then but rather wait until at least [[Ben HaShemashot]], However if one did so then one should count again at night without a Bracha unless one didn’t daven mariv before Shekiyah in which case one should count again with a Bracha. <Ref>Hilchot Chag BaChag (pg 29) </ref>
# If someone is insistent on saying [[Kriyat Shema]] at night after [[Tzet HaKochavim]] of Rabbenu Tam, one should also wait until [[Tzet HaKochavim]] in order to count Sefirat HaOmer. <Ref>Piskei Shemuot (Shavuot pg 40-1) in name of Rav Nassim Karlitz </ref>
# One shouldn’t rely on the minhag to count after Plag Mincha. <Ref>Rav Elyashiv in Kovetz Teshuvot (vol 3, end of chapter 4) quoted by Piskei Shemuot (Shavuot pg 42), Biur Halacha 489:3 D”H MeBeOd Yom </ref>
==If one forgot to count==
# One should say the Sefirah in the beginning of the night, if one forgot one can say the Sefirah with a Bracha the entire next night. <Ref> Tur 489:1 writes that if one forgot to count at the beginning of the night one can count all night. Perisha 489:1 quotes the Ran (Pesachim 28a D”H VeBeHaggadah Gam Ken) who agrees. So rules S”A 489:1. </ref>
# If one forgot to count the Omer an entire night and day one should continue to count without a Bracha. <Ref> S"A 489:8, Yabia Omer 3:28. Mishna Berura 489:36-37 explains that we continue counting to satisfy the opinions that say that you can, but don't say a beracha because of the opinions that you cannot, namely the Behag quoted by Tosafot Menachot 66a "zecher" that if you miss one night you can't count any longer because to fulfill the mitzva you need seven full weeks. Tosafot themselves disagree and say you can continue counting, as does Rabbeinu Yitzchak quoted in the Rosh Pesachim 10:41 because the Behag believes that the mitzva is only one long mitzva. Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik quoted by Rav Herschel Schachter in Eretz Hatzvi 3:6-7 explains the behag not as saying that you need seven full weeks, but that you need the 49 consecutive days, and that is why the halacha is that if you count during the day even if you missed it the night before, you can continue through the rest of sefira with a beracha because you accomplished this obligation of consecutive nights. Sh"t Beit Halevi 1:39 says that since there is a mitzva to count days and weeks, if somebody misses a night in the middle of the week, he can count with a beracha on the nights that complete the week. Shearim mitzuyanim Bihalacha 120:4 says that nowadays when people miss a night they think they are exempt, and that is not what the S"A intended by saying that one should count without a beracha, and therefore, nowadays one should continue counting with a beracha. </ref>
# If one is unsure whether one missed an entire day one should continue to count with a Bracha. <ref> S"A 489:8 </ref>
# If one forgot to count one entire day and night, some say that one can be the Shaliach Tzibbur and make the bracha for others, however, others argue that one may not do so, rather once one missed a night and day, one may not count with a bracha but one may listen to someone making the bracha for himself.<ref>Pri Chadash 489:8 quotes one Rabbi who said that just like the Shaliach Tzibbur can make the brachot of chazarat hashatz even if no one in the congregation needs those brachot to fulfill an obligation, so too a Shaliach Tzibbur may make tha bracha of Sefirat HaOmer even if he isn't obligated in that bracha because he missed a day. However, the Pri Chadash argues that once he missed a day he isn't considered mechuyachav in the mitzvah of sefiarh according to that opinion that one may not miss any days. He compares it to the Yerushalmi which says that a person who lives in a city that reads the megillah on the 14th can't fulfill the obligation of a person who lives in a walled city who reads the megillah on the 15th. He argues that even Rashi (Megillah 2a) who seems to argue on the Yerushalmi, doesn't really disagree (see also Tosfot Yevamot 14a s.v. Ki).</ref>
# If a person counted in a self-contradictory manner, like saying the correct number of days but wrong number of weeks or vice versa and he didn't fix it by the next night, he can only continue to count without a beracha. <ref> [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=563 Rabbi Eli Mansour Dailyhalacha] </ref>

==If someone asks the day of the Omer==
# If someone asks "What day of the Omer is it?" if one hasn't fulfilled one's obligation yet, one should answer that "yesterday was such and such" rather than answering "today is such and such in the Omer" because if one were to do so, then one would fulfill one's obligation without having made the Bracha (and wouldn't be allowed to then say the Bracha). <ref>S"A 489:4 </ref>
# If it's before [[Shekiah]] then one may answer the day in the Omer in a straightforward manner and still say that night's Omer with a Bracha. <ref> S"A 489:4 </ref>However, because of a minority opinion that one fulfills one's obligation by counting after Plag Mincha, even before [[Shekiyah]], one should be careful not to answer in a straightforward manner but rather say "yesterday was such and such".<ref>Kaf HaChaim 489:52 quoting S"A 489:15</ref>
# If a person asks the day of the Omer and one answered by saying the number of the Omer without saying the number of weeks many authoriites hold that one hasn't fulfilled one's obligation and one should repeat the counting with a Bracha <ref> Sh"t Maharash HaLevi Siman 5 ([http://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1834&st=&pgnum=16&hilite= see it inside]) argues at length that the mitzvah includes an element of counting the days and an element of counting weeks and if one lacks either one the obligation wasn't fulfilled and one should repeat it with a Bracha. The Mishna Brurah 489:22 (and Shaar HaTzion 489:28) hold like the Eliyah Rabba who also holds that if one didn't count the weeks one must repeat the counting with a Bracha. </ref>, while others argue that one should repeat the counting without a Bracha <ref> Knesset HaGedolah on Bet Yosef 489 s.v. VaAni </ref>, and some make a compromise to obligate one in repeating the counting with a Bracha on days when a week is completed. <ref> Shaar HaTzion 489:28 in name of the Pri Chadash </ref>
# Some say that if a person answered the number in abbreviation (such as Lag for 33 or Dalet for 4) one has not fulfilled one’s obligation and one should repeat counting the Sefirah with a Bracha. <Ref> Sh"t Maharash HaLevi Siman 5 </ref> while others hold that one fulfills one's obligation with an abbreviation and one should not repeat the Omer with a Bracha. <ref> Knesset HaGedolah on Bet Yosef 489 s.v. VaAni </ref>
# If a person made the Bracha and then said the number in abbreviation one shouldn’t repeat the counting with a Bracha (since he clearly intended to fulfill his obligation and there is some significance to an abbreviation.)<Ref> Sh"t Maharash HaLevi Siman 5 </ref>
# If one makes the Bracha and counts by saying the next number of the Omer minus one such as saying that today is forty minus one instead of saying thirty nine one has fulfilled one's obligation. <ref> The Pri HaAretz Siman 10 quotes the Mahari Malcho who says that if on the 39th day one said that tonight is 40 minus 1 one fulfilled one’s obligation. This is also quoted by the Kemach Solet pg 118b D”H Mi SheShachach, Bear Hetiev 489:8, Yad Aharon (on the Tur Siman 489 D”H Im Amar). </ref>
# If a person asks the day of the Omer and one answered by saying the next number of the Omer minus one such as saying that today is forty minus one instead of saying thirty nine, some say that one fulfilled one's obligation, while others disagree and hold that one should repeat the counting with a Bracha. <ref> Sh"t Pri HaAretz Siman 10 (at the end in parentheses), Kemach Solet pg 118b D”H Im Shoalo Chavero </ref>
# If a person asks the day of the Omer and one answered by saying that tomorrow the Omer is such and such (and it's implied that today's Omer is one less) nonetheless one has not fulfilled one's obligation and one must repeat counting the Omer with a Bracha. <ref> Sh"t Vayan Avraham Siman 35 and Chazon Ovadyah ([[Yom Tov]] pg 247) based on the distinction of the Sh"t Pri HaAretz Siman 10 (at the end in parentheses)</ref>

==Eating before counting the Omer==
# From a half hour before the time for sefira (according to some poskim, this refers to sunset, while others maintain that it refers to Tzet Hakochavim), one shouldn’t eat a meal until he counts sefira. More than a [[KeBaytzah]] of bread is considered a meal, however, even a lot of fruit isn’t a meal. There is a dispute whether [[Pas HaBah Bekisnin]] is considerd like bread for this halacha. Nonetheless, many poskim defend the minhag to eat before sefira if one regularly attends a later minyan.<ref>
* Rama 489:4 writes that from the time of sefira, it is forbidden to eat until one counts. Mishna Brurah 489:23 writes that really the prohibition begins from a half hour before Tzet Hakochavim, while the S”A HaRav 489:17 and Kaf HaChaim 489:64 hold that the prohibition begins from a half hour before sunset.
* Kaf HaChaim 489:66 clarifies that it is forbidden only to eat a meal that fits the criteria given by S”A 232:3, meaning more than a KeBeitzah of bread; fruit, even in large quantities, is not considered a meal. Yalkut Yosef 489:43 and Hilchot Chag BeChag (p. 16) write that Pat HaBah Bekisnin is the same as bread for this halacha; Nitai Gavriel 26:5 disagrees.
* Sh”t Igrot Moshe 4:99 writes that the logic permitting a person to eat before maariv - namely, that if one usually prays in a minyan he won’t forget to pray - should also permit eating before sefira, even after Tzet Hakochavim. Az Nidbaru 6:52, Rav Elyashiv (quoted by Piskei Shemuot p. 47), and Nitai Gavriel 26:4 agree. See Aruch HaShulchan 232:16, who records this leniency regarding mincha. </ref>
# Learning is permitted before sefira if one usually goes to a later minyan. <Ref> Regarding [[Shacharit]], Rashi Brachot 5b understands that Abba Binyamin wouldn’t learn before Davening, however, Tosfot disagrees. Rosh 1:7 explains that Rashi meant only that a person who doesn’t usually pray with a minyan shouldn’t learn before praying. Someone who usually prays with a minyan, on the other hand, is unlikely to forget to pray and thus may learn before praying. Tur and S”A 89:6 codify the Rosh as halacha. Mishna Brurah 232:11 writes that the same is true of mincha. Therefore, when Mishna Brurah 489:24 writes that doing any activity before counting sefira is the same as by mincha, he means that it’s permitted if one usually davens with a minyan. </ref>

==Who is obligated to count?==
# Women are exempt from counting since it’s a Mitzvah Aseh SheZman Grama. <Ref>Rambam (Temidin UMusafin 7:24) rules that women are exempt from counting Sefirah. (Rambam is also found in the Sefer Hamitzvot #161). This is brought in Bet Yosef 489:1 D”H VeTzarich. So rules Magan Avraham 489:1 (who also quotes Zohar Titzaveh pg 319 to show women are exempt) and Mishna Brurah 489:3. [Interestingly, Ramban (Kedushin 34a) holds women are obligated and the Shitat HaKadmonim (last page of Bava Kama) brings the son the Maharam Challavah who explains that Sefirah isn’t Zman Grama since the time doesn’t cause Sefirah, but the Korban HaOmer.]
* Shulchan Shlomo 489:3 writes that women shouldn't count sefirat haomer with a bracha because they might forget to count one night and they won't know the halacha (that they're supposed to continue without a bracha). </ref>
==A child who became [[Bar Mitzvah]]ed during Sefirah==
# A child who became [[Bar Mitzvah]]ed during Sefirah should continue counting without a bracha. <ref> Sh"t Yabea Omer 3:27-28. Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik quoted in Eretz Hatzvi 3:6-7 says that according to the Behag quoted in Tosafot 66a "zecher" the bar-mitzva boy should be allowed to continue with a beracha because the mitzva is dependent on the consecutiveness of the 49 nights, which he fulfills even before becoming of age. </ref>
==Language of the Sefirah==
# Lechatchila, one should know the number of the day when you make the bracha. Bedieved, if one said the bracha with intent to hear the number of the day from his friend and paused to hear his friend after his bracha, he’s Yotsei. <ref> S”A 489:5 writes that if one said the bracha with in mind that one will say the Hayom that his friend says, he fulfills his obligation. Yet, Taz 489:8 writes that implied from S”A is that Lechatchila one should say the bracha only when you know the number of the day. Mishna Brurah 489:29 adds that Lechatchila it’s forbidden to pause for more than Toch Kedi Dibbur. </ref>
# Lechatchila, one should count today is such and such “to the Omer”, Bedieved if one just said today is such and such day you’re yotzei. <Ref> Sh”t Rashba 1:457 brought in Bet Yosef 489 D”H Katav rules that really to fulfill the mitzvah it deosn’t matter whether you mention the Omer or not, however, it’s preferable to mention the Omer to clarify. So rules the Mishna Brurah 489:8. </ref>
==Incorrect intent during Bracha==
# Preferably, one should know the day of the Omer while making the Bracha, however, if one didn't know the day of the Omer but made the Bracha with intent to complete it as one will hear from one's friend and one did do so one has fulfilled one's obligation. <ref> Mishna Brurah 489:29, S"A 489:5 </ref>
# If one started the bracha (Baruch Atta…Melech HaOlam) with in mind to say the wrong night and then finished the bracha with the intent to say the correct night and then said the correct Hayom, one is Yotzei. <ref> Tur 489:6 quotes the Avi Ezri that writes that a person who had in mind the wrong number during the beginning of the bracha and during the end of the bracha he thought of the correct number and said the HaYom correctly, isn’t Yotzei as he needs the beginning and end of the bracha to be with the correct intention. Bet Yosef 489:6 quotes the Mordechai that this Avi Ezri is going according to the opinion that Sefira is Deoritta and therefore since it’s a Safek whether such a Bracha is sufficient (as in Brachot 12a) he must make a new bracha. However, Bet Yosef concludes since majority of RIshonim hold Sefira is Derabbanan, we are lenient on this safek and is Yotzei. So rules the S”A 489:6 and all achronim agree including Mishna Brurah 489:32. </ref>
# If one started the bracha (Baruch Atta…Melech HaOlam) with in mind to say the correct night and then finished the bracha with the intent to say the wrong night and then said the wrong Hayom, according to Sephardim, one is Yotzei, while Ashkenazim hold that if one corrects the Hayom within Toch Kedi Dibbur one is Yotsei but otherwise one isn’t Yotzei and needs a new bracha. <ref> (1) Tur 489:6 quotes the Avi Ezri that writes that a person who had in mind the correct number during the beginning of the bracha and during the end of the bracha he thought of the wrong number and said the wrong HaYom, isn’t Yotzei as he needs the beginning and end of the bracha to be with the correct intention. (2) Bet Yosef 489:6 quotes the Mordechai that this Avi Ezri is going according to the opinion that Sefira is Deoritta and therefore since it’s a Safek whether such a Bracha is sufficient (as in Brachot 12a) he must make a new bracha. However, Bet Yosef concludes since majority of Rishonim hold Sefira is Derabbanan, we are lenient on this safek and is Yotzei. So rules the S”A 489:6 and some achronim agree including Magan Avraham 489:12, Olot [[Shabbat]] 489:6, Chok Yakov 489:19, and Kaf HaChaim 489:75. Yalkut Yosef (Moadim edition 5764 pg 615) writes that one should count again to fulfill the obligation according to everyone however one shouldn’t make a Bracha like S”A. (3) However, Bach (489 D”H UMah SheKatav Katav Od Avi Ezri) argues on the Bet Yosef and says that according to everyone one isn’t Yotzei in such a case as the counting was simply wrong. So rules the Levush, Pri Chadash and Mishna Brurah 489:32. (4) The third approach is that of the Maamer Mordechai 489:8 and Chok Yosef who explains S”A as where one corrected himself within Toch Kedi Dibbur. (5) Another explanation of S”A is that of the Taz 489:9 (to defend S”A against his father-in-law the Bach) who explains that the S”A was only dealing with someone who made the bracha with the wrong intent either in the beginning or in the end and then counted the Hayom correctly and so one fulfills his obligation according to the majority of Rishonim that Sefirah is Derabbanan. </ref>

==Prohibited practices during the Sefirat HaOmer==
The practice is to observe certain practices of mourning during the Sefirah because the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva died during this time. <ref> Tur and Shulchan Aruch 493:1 based on gemara in Yevamot 62b. </ref> There’s three basic minhagim about the mourning period between [[Pesach]] and Shavuot:
# One practice is to mourn the first 33 days from the beginning of the Omer until the 34th day in the morning. This practice is followed by Sephardim. <Ref>The source for this minhag is the Teshuvah of R. Yehoshua Ibn Shuib (cited by Bet Yosef 493:2) which says that the students of Rabbi Akiva died during the Omer except for the last 15 days which leaves the first 34 days, however, based on Miksat HaYom KeKulo (a minority of the day is considered like a whole day) one may stop mourning on the morning of the 34th. This is the ruling of S”A 493:2 and the practice of Sephardim as recorded in Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 493:1). This is explained clearly in Biur HaGra 493:6 D”H Nohagin, Biur Halacha 493 D”H Yesh Nohagim, and [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/714562/Rabbi_Josh_Flug/The_Mourning_Period_Of_Sefirat_Ha'omer Rabbi Flug's article on Sefirat HaOmer]. </ref>
# A second practice is to mourn from the beginning of the Omer until the 33rd day in the morning. This practice is followed by most Ashkenazim. <Ref>The source for this minhag is the Rama 493:2 who holds that the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying on the 33rd day of the Omer and by the principle of Miksat HaYom KeKulo (a minority of the day is considered like a whole day) one may stop mourning on the morning of the 33rd. This is the explanation of the Biur HaGra 493:9 D”H UMarbim, and the practice of Ashkenazim as recorded by [https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehalacha.com%2Fattach%2FVolume5%2FIssue8.pdf Halachically Speaking] (Volume 3, Issue 8, page 3).
This is explained clearly in Biur Halacha 493 D”H Yesh Nohagim and [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/714562/Rabbi_Josh_Flug/The_Mourning_Period_Of_Sefirat_Ha'omer Rabbi Flug's article on Sefirat HaOmer]. </ref>
# A third practice is to mourn 33 not consecutive days during the Omer. <ref>
Bet Yosef 493:3 quotes the Ri Ibn Shoiv who records another tradition that Rabbi Akiva’s students only died on the 33 days during the Sefira when there’s no [[Tachanun]], which are the 7 days of Pesach, 7 Shabbatot, and 2 days of [[Rosh Chodesh]]. Based on this tradition, Sh"t Igrot Moshe 1:159 writes, there is a minhag to mourn for 33 non-consecutive days during the sefira. </ref>This practice is followed by some Ashkenazim. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 489:5 </ref>
## Some observe this practice by mourning from the day after [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar until Erev Shavuot excluding Lag BaOmer. <Ref>Magan Avraham 489:5, Mishna Brurah 493:15 </ref>
##Some observe this practice by mourning from the first day of [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar until the third day before Shavuot. <Ref>Rama 493:3, Magan Avraham 489:5 </ref>
## Some observe this practice by mourning from after Issru Chag until [[Rosh Chodesh]] Sivan excluding the two days of [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar and Lag BaOmer. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 489:15 quoting the Siddur Derech Chaim </ref>
## Some observe this practice by mourning all the days of the Omer expect for [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar and Sivan. <Ref> Sh”t Igrot Moshe 1:159 explains that the reason for this minhag is that it holds that the students of Rabbi Akiva died on all the days between [[Pesach]] and Shavuot except for the 16 days when one can not say [[Tachanun]] (7 days of Pesach, 6 [[Shabbat]]ot, 3 days of [[Rosh Chodesh]]) and so the minhag forbids getting married and cutting hair the entire Sefira except for [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar and Sivan (and [[Pesach]] and [[Shabbat]] are already forbidden to get married). </ref>
# A fourth minhag followed by some is to observe sefira, in regards to not cutting one's hair, for the entire duration of the sefira from Erev [[Pesach]] until Erev Shavuot.<ref>Arizal quoted by Shaarei Teshuva 493:8</ref>
# It is permitted for a wife to observe her family’s mourning period, as long as her husband does not object. <ref> Rav Doniel Neustadt Daily Halacha Discussion page 219 </ref>
===Getting Married===
# The Sephardic custom is not to get married during the Sefira until the 34th day in the morning. <ref> Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 428) </ref>
# The Ashkenazic custom is not to get married during the Sefira until the 33rd day (Lag BaOmer). <Ref> Rama 493:1 </ref>
# If the marriage involves a couple with one side who is Ashkenazic and one side Sephardic, the custom of the husband should be followed. <ref> Sh"t Yabea Omer 3:26(4), Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 429) </ref>
# If one is invited to a wedding which takes place during a time of the sefira when one's custom is to observe the practices of mourning, and the one who is getting married has the custom that it is permissible to get married then, one should not refrain from going to the wedding because of the sefira.<Ref>[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/774533/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_#80_-_Yevamos_-_מפני_מה_גרים_בזה'ז_מעונים,_יש_זיקה,_ספירת_העומר Rabbi Hershel Schachter on yutorah.org (at the very end)] based on a ruling of Rav Moshe Feinstein</ref>
===Getting engaged===
# It's permissible to get engaged during the Sefirah, however one may not have music and one shouldn't dance much. <ref> Maamer Mordechai of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (Sefirat HaOmer #45) </ref>
===Cutting hair===
# In commemoration of the death of the students of Rabbi Akiva, the minhag is not to cut one’s hair during sefira. Although many minhagim exist, the common minhag is that Sephardim don’t cut their hair until the 34th day of sefira in the morning and Ashkenazim don’t cut their hair until the 33rd in the morning.<ref>
* The Gemara Yevamot 62b records the tragic story of Rabbi Akiva’s student passing away between [[Pesach]] and Shavuot. The Tur 493:1 records the minhag not to take hair cuts during sefirat HaOmer in order to mourn the death of Rabbi Akiva’s students. The Tur writes that some would cut their hair from Lag BaOmer and on because there’s a tradition that the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying on Lag BaOmer. The Tashbetz 1:178, however, says that they died until 15 days before Shavuot (Pros HaAseret), which is the 34th of the Omer. S”A 493:2 follows the Tashbetz, while the Rama quotes some who follow the Tur and some who don’t take a hair cut from [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar until Shavuot.
* Bet Yosef 493:3 quotes the Ri Ibn Shoiv who records another tradition that Rabbi Akiva’s students only died on the 33 days during the Sefira when there’s no [[Tachanun]]. According to this tradition, Biur Halacha 493 D”H Yesh the minhag developed to mourn 33 days during the sefira corresponding to the days they died. Kitzur S”A 120:6-7 writes that some mourn the last 33 days of sefira starting after [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar excluding Lag BaOmer and a variant minhag is to mourn from the first day of [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar until the Shelosha Yemei Hagbala excluding Lag BaOmer.
* S”A 493:2 writes that the minhag is to mourn from the beginning of the sefira until the morning of the 34th of the Omer. Kaf HaChaim 493:12 and Chazon Ovadyah (pg 253) agree that this is the common minhag among Sephardim. Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 430) and Maamer Mordechai of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (Sefirat HaOmer #48) agree. Kaf HaChaim 493:12-3 adds that some follow the Arizal’s practice not to cut one’s hair the entire Sefira.
* Although the Mishna Brurah 493:15 records the Ashkenazic minhag to mourn from the first day of [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar until the Shelosha Yemei Hagbala, [http://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/shiur.asp?id=301 Peninei Halacha] (Hilchot Sefirat HaOmer) writes that nowadays the common Ashkenazic minhag is like the Rama to mourn from the beginning of the Omer until Lag BaOmer in the morning.
* Mishna Brurah 493:6 explains S”A as saying that one may only cut one’s hair starting from the 34th in the morning because Miksat HaYom KeKulo only operates starting in the daytime. In 493:10 he writes that the same for the Rama regarding the 33rd. However, Mishna Brurah 493:11 quotes some achronim who argue that one may even cut one’s hair from the nighttime. Rav Shlomo Zalman (cited by Halichot Shlomo p 364, note 80) once permitted taking a hair cut on Lag BeOmer at night. </ref>
# The Sephardic custom on a year that Lag BaOmer falls out on Friday is that one may cut one's hair on Friday morning out of respect for [[Shabbat]] and if one is unable to cut one's hair on Friday morning, it's permissible to cut one's hair on Thursday night after [[Tzet HaKochavim]]. <ref> Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 431-2) </ref>
# According to Ashkenazim, if there's a pressing need women may cut their hair during Sefirat HaOmer.<ref>Sh"t Igrot Moshe YD 2:137. See [https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.thehalacha.com/attach/Volume5/Issue8.pdf&pli=1 Halachically Speaking article on Sefirah]. See Nitai Gavriel (Pesach 49:11) who writes that the minhag not to cut one's hair during sefirah also applies to women. </ref> According to Sephardim, women may cut their hair during the Sefirah.<Ref>Chazon Ovadyah (Yom Tov pg 261)</ref>
# According to some poskim, children under the age of bar mitzvah are permitted to get haircuts during the omer as they are not included in the mourning of the sefirat haomer. <ref> Sh"t Or Litzion 3:page 184 </ref>
# If one has a [[Brit Milah]] during the Sefira, the father of the baby, the Mohel, and the Tzandak may cut their hair that day. <ref> Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 432) </ref>
# It is permissible to tweeze eyebrows or eyelashes. <ref> Bein [[Pesach]] Lishavuot page 241 quoting Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rav Shmuel Wosner. </ref>
# It is permissible to comb hair even if some hairs will be removed in the process. <ref> Mishna Berura 551:20 </ref>
===Shaving===
# Included in the minhag not to take hair cuts is not to shave. <ref> Tur 493 says that some have the custom "lo lihistaper." Masekhet Semachot (7:11) in regards to mourning writes that lihistaper means to cutting the hair of one's head, mustache, beard, and all other hair. Nitai Gavriel (Pesach vol 3, 49:2) and Chazon Ovadyah (p. 262) write that including in the minhag not to take a hair cut is not to shave.</ref> Some authorities permitted someone who shaves daily after having waited 3 or 5 days of not shaving to shave during the Sefira. <ref> Rav Soloveitchik (cited by Rav Schachter in Nefesh HaRav pg 191-2) compared the Sefira to the 12 months of mourning in which a person who shaves daily may shave after waiting a few days. Rav Soloveitchik felt that this was the case because all customs have to be based on some opinion or patterned after another halacha. Therefore, he argues that the mourning of the Omer is parallel to the mourning during the year of mourning for a parent. Therefore since the halacha says that it is permissible to shave during the year once one's friends scold him to tell him that his hair is too long ("ad she-yig'aru bo chaveirav": Moed Katan 22b, Rambam Hilkhot Evel 6:3), it would be permissible during the omer also.
Rav Schachter (“Halachos of Chol HaMoed”, min 67-70) clarified that not shaving for 3 or 5 days is sufficient. Rabbi Willig (“Hilchos [[Pesach]] and Sefira#1”, min 85-90) also quotes Rav Soloveitchik. Rav Aharon Lictenstein [http://vbm-torah.org/archive/halak65/24halak.htm vbm.org] says that it is even an obligation to shave for kavod shabbat on Friday incorporating Rav Soloveitchik's approach. </ref>
# Many Sephardic authorities are lenient regarding shave on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar if it causes one pain not to shave, however, Ashekanzic authorities seem not to accept such a leniency.<ref>
* Bet Yosef 493:3 writes that those who cut their hair on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar because they consider it a [[Yom Tov]] are mistaken because the minhag is not to cut their hair on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar. He adds that they may have mistakenly thought it was permitted based on another minhag which would mourn another 33 days during the sefira. Similarly, Mishna Brurah 493:14 summarizes that according to those who don’t cut their hair the first 33 days of the Sefira, it would be contradictory to shave on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar.
* However, the Radvaz 2:687 permits cutting one’s hair on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar if not cutting one’s hair causes one’s pain based on the halacha that one who is pain is exempt from the mitzvah of Sukkah. Sh”t Chazon Ovadyah (vol 1, pg 55) clarifies that although the halacha of Sukkah is based on Teshvu Kein Taduro, the Radvaz means that it’s logical that one can be lenient if it’s bothersome since sefira is only a minhag. Chida in Yosef Ometz 40:2 and Kaf HaChaim 493:40 write that some rely on this Radvaz. Similarly, Rav Ovadyah in Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 431) and Chazon Ovadyah (pg 262) writes that one should be careful not to shave during sefira and if it’s difficult not to shave, one may shave on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar.
* The Bach 493 quotes the Minhagim who says that it’s permitted to get married on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar if it falls out on Shabbat and explains that it’s based on the fact that there’s a combination of the kedusha of rosh chodesh and kedusha of Shabbat to override mourning of Sefira. Pri Megadim (E”A 493:2) clarifies that the Bach means getting married on Friday because it’s forbidden to get married on Shabbat. Regarding this Bach, the Pri Chadash 493:3 writes that the same is true for haircuts. Thus, Mishna Brurah 493:5 writes that if [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar falls out on Shabbat one may cut one’s hair on Friday. Kitzur S”A 120:6 and S”A HaRav 493:8 agree. It seems clear from the above achronim that [[Rosh Chodesh]] alone isn’t sufficient to permit cutting one’s hair. </ref>
# Many authorities hold that one may not shave on Friday for Kavod Shabbat. If a person is in great pain from not shaving, some say one may shave.<ref>
* It also seems evident from the Bach and Mishna Brurah (see previous footnote) that one may not cut one’s hair because of Kavod Shabbat alone. Thus, Rav Shlomo Zalman (cited by Shalmei Moed pg 449-450) and Rav Yacov Kamenetsky (Emet L’Yaakov 493 note 467) hold that one may not shave in the sefira for Kavod Shabbat.
* However, Rav Lichtenstein (vbm.org) ruled that not only is it permitted but an obligation to shave for kavod Shabbat during sefira just like Kavod Shabbat theoretically overrides the nine days (see Mishna Brurah 551:32). Similarly, Rav Ovadyah in Chazon Ovadyah (Yom Tov pg 262) and Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 431) writes that if one is in great pain one may shave every Friday.</ref>
# Some authorities permit shaving in honor of [[Yom HaAtzmaut]], however, some disagree. <ref> Rabbi Eliezer Melamed (Peninei Halacha "[[Yom HaAtzmaut]]") writes that those who shave regularly should shave prior [[Yom HaAtzmaut]] in order to look presentable for the holiday. He also quotes Rav Yitzchak Nissim and Rav Tzvi Yehuda HaCohen Kook who agreed. Shana Beshana (5752, p. 145) quotes Rav Tzvi [[Pesach]] Frank as agreeing. Shana B’shana (5752, p. 145) quotes Rav Tzvi [[Pesach]] Frank as agreeing. Rav Shaul Yisraeli in Mareh HaBezek 4:54 permits shaving from after midday prior to [[Yom HaAtzmaut]] even for those living outside Israel. However, Yaskil Avdi 6:10 and Rav Soloveitchik (quoted by Rav Schachter in Nefesh HaRav p. 94) argue.</ref>
# Many authorities permit shaving if not shaving will cause one a loss of income; however, each case should be judged individually. <ref>
* Rav Moshe in Igrot Moshe 4:102 rules that if one will lose money by not shaving, one may shave during sefira, because the minhag never applied in a case of monetary loss. In 5:24(9), he explains his position and says that only a person who is concerned about losing his income for the duration of the sefira is permitted to shave. If, however, he can simply borrow money and then repay it with later income, this leniency wouldn’t apply. See Maadanei Shlomo (p. 54) who quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman as also being lenient.
* Similarly, Sh”t Zera Emet 69 writes that for parnasa it is permitted, but each case should be judged independently. Chida in Machzik Bracha 493:4, Kaf Hachaim 493:19, Sh”t Yaskil Avdi 6:5, and Nitai Gavriel (49:8) agree.
* However, Piskei Shemuot (p. 62) quotes Rav Elyashiv saying that nowadays it’s forbidden to shave for parnasa because it’s not considered strange to go unshaven. </ref>
# Many authorities hold that one is not permitted to shave during his custom of sefira in order to look presentable for a date. <Ref> [www.thehalacha.com/attach/Volume5/Issue8.pdf Halachically Speaking] quoting Rav Belsky, Piskei Shmuos (pg 62-63) quoting Rav Elyashiv </ref>

===Cutting nails===
# It is permissible to cut one's nail during the Sefirat HaOmer. <ref>Maamer Mordechai of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (Sefirat HaOmer #54), Kaf Hachayim 493:16, Chazon Ovadia Hilchot Yom Tov page 261 </ref>

===Making Shehecheyanu===
# If something occurs that would require a shehecheyanu, one should recite it as usual. <ref> Mishna Berura 493:2. The minhag not to is quoted in the Eliyahu Zuta 493:1 quoting Rabbeinu Yerucham and Leket Yosher page 97 quoting the Terumat Hadeshen. </ref>
# It is preferable not to wear new clothing which would require one to make a [[Shehecheyanu]] during the Sefira, however, if there's a need one should do it on a [[Shabbat]], at a Simcha of a [[Bar Mitzvah]] or [[Brit Milah]]. <ref> Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 433). Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach Aleihu Lo Yibol 286 and Shalmei Moed page 441 rules that it is completely permissible to buy new clothing if it is not your minhag not to. See Taamei Haminhagim page 251. </ref> The accepted Sephardic minhag is to make [[Shehecheyanu]] as usual. <Ref> Maamer Mordechai of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (Sefirat HaOmer #55) </ref> If one thought it was prohibited to recite shehecheyanu but later found out that it is not, doesn't need a hatarat nedarim to start saying shehecheyanu during sefira. <ref> Yechave Daat 1:24. </ref>
# It is permitted to buy new undergarments which do not regularly require a [[Shehecheyanu]] during sefira. <ref> Piskei Teshuvot 493:3 </ref>
# It is permissible to eat a new fruit which would require one to make a [[Shehecheyanu]] during the Sefira. <ref> Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 434), Rav Elyashiv quoted in Mivakshei Torah 19 </ref>
# It is permissible to move into a new apartment and make the requisite [[Shehecheyanu]] during the Sefira. <ref> Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 434) </ref>
===Moving to a New House===

# It is permitted to move to a new house or apartment during sefira. <ref> Piskei Teshuvot 493: note 6 quoting the Satmar Rebbe, Mevakshei Torah 19 quoting Rav Elyashiv, Tzitz Eliezer 11:41. Piskei Teshuvot 493:1 quotes several poskim who bring down this minhag. </ref>
# It is permitted to redecorate or paint one's home. <ref> Yechave Daat 3:30, Tzitz Eliezer 11:41. Piskei Teshuvot 493:1 quotes several poskim who bring this minhag as well. </ref>

===Listening to music===
# It is forbidden to listen to music during the Sefira <ref> Iggerot Moshe OC 1:166, 2:137, Minhag Yisrael Torah 493:8, Aruch Hashulchan 493:2, Yechave Daat 3:30 based on a Magen Avraham that prohibits dancing during sefira because the two come together. Rav Mordechai Willig quoted in http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/735746/Rabbi_Aryeh_Lebowitz/Music_During_Sefira says that music is not necessarily forbidden, the prohition was only placed on things that lead to excessibe joy, which music doesn't necessarily accomplish. </ref> Some poskim say that even if it's not live music, <ref> Az Nidberu 8:58, Iggerot Moshe OC 1:167, Tzitz Eliezer 15:33, Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 434, Maamar Mordechai of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu Sefirat Haomer #40. Chelkat Yaakov 1:62 argues that a device which didn't exist at the time of the decree cannot be included. In his article at [[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/735746/Rabbi_Aryeh_Lebowitz/Music_During_Sefira]] Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz says that this argument can only be made for music in general, but during sefira this would not apply because there was never a formal ban placed on music specifically during sefira. See http://halachipedia.com/index.php?title=Listening_to_Music for the discussion about music during the year. </ref> and this practice should be kept until at least the 34th of the Omer. <ref> Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 434), Maamer Mordechai of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (Sefirat HaOmer #40), </ref> Some poskim even prohibit listening to a Capella music. <ref> Shevet Halevi 8:127, Salmat Chaim 4:21. see http://matzav.com/p%E2%80%99sak-from-rav-yisroel-belsky-and-rav-shlomo-miller-on-acappella-music-during-sefirah-2 that Rav Yisrael Belsky and Rav Shlomo Miller differentiate between different types of a cappella, only permitting choirs which simply sound like a group of people singing and nothing more. Rav Binyamin Silber in Az Nidberu 8:58 discussing music during the year says that a recorded voice is considered like an instrument. </ref>
#According to some poskim slow music that would not lead to dancing such as slow classical music can be listened to. <ref> http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/735746/Rabbi_Aryeh_Lebowitz/Music_During_Sefira quotes Sefer Eleh Heim Moadai quoting Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg and Rav Eliyahu Schlesinger. </ref>
# If not listening to recorded music will result in depression, even the stringent authorities would permit it. <ref> Hilchot Chag B’chag p.63, Halichot Shlomo, Moadim 2:11:14. </ref>
# If one is reliant on playing live music to make an income, he is permitted to. <ref> Iggerot Moshe OC 3:87. </ref>
==Sources==
<references/>

Sefirat HaOmer

2013-04-29T16:23:29Z

Ydeutscher:

[[Image:Sefirah.jpg|thumb|right|The first day of the Omer on Bet Midrash Gavoha's Sefira Calendar]]
There is a Torah obligation to count the days of the Omer stated in the Pasuk <ref>(Vayikra 23:15-16) </ref> as follows: וספרתם לכם ממחרת השבת מיום הביאכם את עמר התנופה שבע שבתות תמימת תהיינה: עד ממחרת השבת השביעת תספרו חמשים יום והקרבתם מנחה חדשה ליהוה:. The Mitzvah is to count 49 days (counting the days and the weeks) from the second day of [[Pesach]] (when the Korban HaOmer was brought) until Shavuot. The mitzvah applies nowadays. <Ref> Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvah Mitzvot Aseh #161) counts this as one mitzvah to count days and weeks and not as two separate mitzvot, seemingly based on the gemara menachot 66a. See Tosfot Menachot 65b s.v. Ketuv who asks why we only count 49 days when the Pasuk says to count 50 days and answers that the pasuk doesn't mean from the Korban Omer until the day after Ha[[Shabbat]] HaShevit count 50 days but rather means to from the Korban Omer until the day after Hashabbat HaShevit which is the 50th day one should count (up to but not including). Alternatively Tosfot answers that the command to count to the number 50 in the pasuk refers to when the Korban Shtei HaLechem is brought and not the count of the Omer. </ref>

==Procedure of counting Sefirat HaOmer==
# The Bracha to be said before counting the Omer is ברוך אתה ה' אלוקינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על ספירת העומר - Baruch Atta Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam Asher Kideshanu BeMitzvotav VeTzivanu Al Sefirat HaOmer.<reF>Levush 489:1 records the text of the Bracha to be said before counting the sefira as Al Sefirat HaOmer. This is also evident from S"A 489:2</ref>
#One should say the Sefirat HaOmer standing. <Ref>S”A 489:1 based on the Rosh (Pesachim 10:41e) and Rambam (Temidin UMusafin 7:23) write that Sefirat HaOmer should be said standing. So rules S”A 489:1 that you need to stand. Rambam adds that, if one did say it while seated you’re also yotseh. So rules Mishna Brurah 489:6. Mishna Brurah adds that you should stand also for the Bracha. </ref>
==When to count Sefira==
# According to most poskim, it is correct to wait until Tzet Hakochavim in order to count sefirat haomer; however, one fulfills his obligation by counting after sunset. <Ref>
* Tosfot (Menachot 66a) has one opinion who says that one may count sefira during Bein HaShemashot since sefira is only derabbanan. Rosh (Pesachim 10:40) and Tur 489:1 agree. However, the Ran (Pesachim 28a) argues that it’s not proper to enter a safek initially. Similarly, Rambam (Temidin UMusafin 7:22) rules that sefira should be counted at night.
* Bet Yosef 489:1 quotes this dispute, and his ruling in S”A is unclear. Mishna Brurah 489:14 understands that S”A holds that the halacha follows Tosfot but that it is proper to wait until Tzet Hakochavim. Chazon Ovadyah (p. 232) agrees.
* After the fact, if one counted during Bein HaShemashot, Magan Avraham 489:6 writes that he has fulfilled his obligation. Beiur HaGra 489:3 and Mishna Brurah 489:15 agree. However, Eliyah Rabba 489:10 argues that one should count again after Tzet Hakochavim without a Bracha. </ref>
# If one is praying in a minyan that finishes maariv after sunset and one wants to count after Tzet Hakochavim, he should count then without a Bracha and mentally stipulate, "if I don't remember to count with a bracha then this counting should fulfill my obligation, however, if I remember later then I have intent not to fulfill my obligation with this counting." If one in fact remembers, he should count after Tzet Hakochavim with a Bracha. <ref>
* The Avudraham (Tefillot HaPesach) writes that if one prays with an early minyan, he should count without a Bracha, and if he remembers later, he should count with a Bracha. S"A 489:3 codifies this as the halacha. Taz 489:6 and Beiur HaGra 489:3 explain that the case is where the minyan finished during Bein HaShemashot.
* Mishnah Brurah 489:17 writes that if one wants to count after Tzet Hakochavim, he should count with the minyan without a Bracha and have in mind that if he remembers later to count with a Bracha, this original counting shouldn’t fulfill his obligation. Hagahot Rabbi Akiva Eiger 46:16 and Aruch HaShulchan 489:8 agree. Chazon Ovadyah (Yom Tov p. 233-4) adds that the stipulation should be "if I don't remember to count with a bracha then this counting should fulfill my obligation, however, if I remember later then I have intent not to fulfill my obligation with this counting." However, the Taz writes that making such a condition doesn’t work.
* See, however, the Levush 489:3, who explains that the case is where the minyan finished before sunset, and the reason they counted was for Amei HaAretz who wouldn’t count later at night. </ref>
# If one is going to pray maariv with a minyan that is late at night, some poskim hold that one should wait to count with the minyan, while others say that one should count at Tzet Hakochavim. <Ref>
* S”A 489:1 writes that on the second night of Pesach, one should count sefira after maariv. The Chok Yaakov 489:16 explains that this is based on the halacha of giving precedence to the more common activity (Tadir). However, Mor UKetziah 489:1 argues that Tadir doesn’t apply here since sefira is deoraitta, or at least the mitzvah is explicit in the pasuk even though nowadays it’s derabbanan, while tefillah is entirely derabbanan. Thus, he explains that sefira must be said in the beginning of the night (Tzet Hakochavim) because one shouldn’t delay a mitzvah.
* Sh”t Igrot Moshe 4:99(1) defends the Chok Yaakov and writes that one must wait to count sefira after maariv even if he prays later in the night. Rav Elyashiv (quoted by Piskei Shemuot p. 18) agrees. On the other hand, Shevet HaLevi 6:53(3) agrees with the Mor UKetziah and says that if one is going to daven in a late minyan, he should count by himself earlier, but he defends the minhag to wait to count with the minyan because otherwise many people would forget to count. Similarly, Halichot Shlomo (Tefilaa 16:16) also writes that the minhag is not to eat from the time of Sefirat HaOmer, and even if one still didn't pray Maariv, one should count the sefira. </ref>
# If one counted during the day (before Plag Mincha) one has not fulfilled one’s obligation even if one Davened Mariv early and one must count it again that night with a Bracha. <Ref>S”A 489:2, Mishna Brurah 489:13, Biur Halacha 489:3 D”H MeBeOd Yom</ref>However, because of a minority opinion who says one did fulfill one's obligation, some say one should count again at night without a bracha. <ref>Kaf HaChaim 489:47</reF>
# If one said Mariv before Shekiyah after Plag Mincha one shouldn’t count then but rather wait until at least [[Ben HaShemashot]], However if one did so then one should count again at night without a Bracha unless one didn’t daven mariv before Shekiyah in which case one should count again with a Bracha. <Ref>Hilchot Chag BaChag (pg 29) </ref>
# If someone is insistent on saying [[Kriyat Shema]] at night after [[Tzet HaKochavim]] of Rabbenu Tam, one should also wait until [[Tzet HaKochavim]] in order to count Sefirat HaOmer. <Ref>Piskei Shemuot (Shavuot pg 40-1) in name of Rav Nassim Karlitz </ref>
# One shouldn’t rely on the minhag to count after Plag Mincha. <Ref>Rav Elyashiv in Kovetz Teshuvot (vol 3, end of chapter 4) quoted by Piskei Shemuot (Shavuot pg 42), Biur Halacha 489:3 D”H MeBeOd Yom </ref>
==If one forgot to count==
# One should say the Sefirah in the beginning of the night, if one forgot one can say the Sefirah with a Bracha the entire next night. <Ref> Tur 489:1 writes that if one forgot to count at the beginning of the night one can count all night. Perisha 489:1 quotes the Ran (Pesachim 28a D”H VeBeHaggadah Gam Ken) who agrees. So rules S”A 489:1. </ref>
# If one forgot to count the Omer an entire night and day one should continue to count without a Bracha. <Ref> S"A 489:8, Yabia Omer 3:28. Mishna Berura 489:36-37 explains that we continue counting to satisfy the opinions that say that you can, but don't say a beracha because of the opinions that you cannot, namely the Behag quoted by Tosafot Menachot 66a "zecher" that if you miss one night you can't count any longer because to fulfill the mitzva you need seven full weeks. Tosafot themselves disagree and say you can continue counting, as does Rabbeinu Yitzchak quoted in the Rosh Pesachim 10:41 because the Behag believes that the mitzva is only one long mitzva. Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik quoted by Rav Herschel Schachter in Eretz Hatzvi 3:6-7 explains the behag not as saying that you need seven full weeks, but that you need the 49 consecutive days, and that is why the halacha is that if you count during the day even if you missed it the night before, you can continue through the rest of sefira with a beracha because you accomplished this obligation of consecutive nights. Sh"t Beit Halevi 1:39 says that since there is a mitzva to count days and weeks, if somebody misses a night in the middle of the week, he can count with a beracha on the nights that complete the week. Shearim mitzuyanim Bihalacha 120:4 says that nowadays when people miss a night they think they are exempt, and that is not what the S"A intended by saying that one should count without a beracha, and therefore, nowadays one should continue counting with a beracha. </ref>
# If one is unsure whether one missed an entire day one should continue to count with a Bracha. <ref> S"A 489:8 </ref>
# If one forgot to count one entire day and night, some say that one can be the Shaliach Tzibbur and make the bracha for others, however, others argue that one may not do so, rather once one missed a night and day, one may not count with a bracha but one may listen to someone making the bracha for himself.<ref>Pri Chadash 489:8 quotes one Rabbi who said that just like the Shaliach Tzibbur can make the brachot of chazarat hashatz even if no one in the congregation needs those brachot to fulfill an obligation, so too a Shaliach Tzibbur may make tha bracha of Sefirat HaOmer even if he isn't obligated in that bracha because he missed a day. However, the Pri Chadash argues that once he missed a day he isn't considered mechuyachav in the mitzvah of sefiarh according to that opinion that one may not miss any days. He compares it to the Yerushalmi which says that a person who lives in a city that reads the megillah on the 14th can't fulfill the obligation of a person who lives in a walled city who reads the megillah on the 15th. He argues that even Rashi (Megillah 2a) who seems to argue on the Yerushalmi, doesn't really disagree (see also Tosfot Yevamot 14a s.v. Ki).</ref>
# If a person counted in a self-contradictory manner, like saying the correct number of days but wrong number of weeks or vice versa and he didn't fix it by the next night, he can only continue to count without a beracha. <ref> [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=563 Rabbi Eli Mansour Dailyhalacha] </ref>

==If someone asks the day of the Omer==
# If someone asks "What day of the Omer is it?" if one hasn't fulfilled one's obligation yet, one should answer that "yesterday was such and such" rather than answering "today is such and such in the Omer" because if one were to do so, then one would fulfill one's obligation without having made the Bracha (and wouldn't be allowed to then say the Bracha). <ref>S"A 489:4 </ref>
# If it's before [[Shekiah]] then one may answer the day in the Omer in a straightforward manner and still say that night's Omer with a Bracha. <ref> S"A 489:4 </ref>However, because of a minority opinion that one fulfills one's obligation by counting after Plag Mincha, even before [[Shekiyah]], one should be careful not to answer in a straightforward manner but rather say "yesterday was such and such".<ref>Kaf HaChaim 489:52 quoting S"A 489:15</ref>
# If a person asks the day of the Omer and one answered by saying the number of the Omer without saying the number of weeks many authoriites hold that one hasn't fulfilled one's obligation and one should repeat the counting with a Bracha <ref> Sh"t Maharash HaLevi Siman 5 ([http://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1834&st=&pgnum=16&hilite= see it inside]) argues at length that the mitzvah includes an element of counting the days and an element of counting weeks and if one lacks either one the obligation wasn't fulfilled and one should repeat it with a Bracha. The Mishna Brurah 489:22 (and Shaar HaTzion 489:28) hold like the Eliyah Rabba who also holds that if one didn't count the weeks one must repeat the counting with a Bracha. </ref>, while others argue that one should repeat the counting without a Bracha <ref> Knesset HaGedolah on Bet Yosef 489 s.v. VaAni </ref>, and some make a compromise to obligate one in repeating the counting with a Bracha on days when a week is completed. <ref> Shaar HaTzion 489:28 in name of the Pri Chadash </ref>
# Some say that if a person answered the number in abbreviation (such as Lag for 33 or Dalet for 4) one has not fulfilled one’s obligation and one should repeat counting the Sefirah with a Bracha. <Ref> Sh"t Maharash HaLevi Siman 5 </ref> while others hold that one fulfills one's obligation with an abbreviation and one should not repeat the Omer with a Bracha. <ref> Knesset HaGedolah on Bet Yosef 489 s.v. VaAni </ref>
# If a person made the Bracha and then said the number in abbreviation one shouldn’t repeat the counting with a Bracha (since he clearly intended to fulfill his obligation and there is some significance to an abbreviation.)<Ref> Sh"t Maharash HaLevi Siman 5 </ref>
# If one makes the Bracha and counts by saying the next number of the Omer minus one such as saying that today is forty minus one instead of saying thirty nine one has fulfilled one's obligation. <ref> The Pri HaAretz Siman 10 quotes the Mahari Malcho who says that if on the 39th day one said that tonight is 40 minus 1 one fulfilled one’s obligation. This is also quoted by the Kemach Solet pg 118b D”H Mi SheShachach, Bear Hetiev 489:8, Yad Aharon (on the Tur Siman 489 D”H Im Amar). </ref>
# If a person asks the day of the Omer and one answered by saying the next number of the Omer minus one such as saying that today is forty minus one instead of saying thirty nine, some say that one fulfilled one's obligation, while others disagree and hold that one should repeat the counting with a Bracha. <ref> Sh"t Pri HaAretz Siman 10 (at the end in parentheses), Kemach Solet pg 118b D”H Im Shoalo Chavero </ref>
# If a person asks the day of the Omer and one answered by saying that tomorrow the Omer is such and such (and it's implied that today's Omer is one less) nonetheless one has not fulfilled one's obligation and one must repeat counting the Omer with a Bracha. <ref> Sh"t Vayan Avraham Siman 35 and Chazon Ovadyah ([[Yom Tov]] pg 247) based on the distinction of the Sh"t Pri HaAretz Siman 10 (at the end in parentheses)</ref>

==Eating before counting the Omer==
# From a half hour before the time for sefira (according to some poskim, this refers to sunset, while others maintain that it refers to Tzet Hakochavim), one shouldn’t eat a meal until he counts sefira. More than a [[KeBaytzah]] of bread is considered a meal, however, even a lot of fruit isn’t a meal. There is a dispute whether [[Pas HaBah Bekisnin]] is considerd like bread for this halacha. Nonetheless, many poskim defend the minhag to eat before sefira if one regularly attends a later minyan.<ref>
* Rama 489:4 writes that from the time of sefira, it is forbidden to eat until one counts. Mishna Brurah 489:23 writes that really the prohibition begins from a half hour before Tzet Hakochavim, while the S”A HaRav 489:17 and Kaf HaChaim 489:64 hold that the prohibition begins from a half hour before sunset.
* Kaf HaChaim 489:66 clarifies that it is forbidden only to eat a meal that fits the criteria given by S”A 232:3, meaning more than a KeBeitzah of bread; fruit, even in large quantities, is not considered a meal. Yalkut Yosef 489:43 and Hilchot Chag BeChag (p. 16) write that Pat HaBah Bekisnin is the same as bread for this halacha; Nitai Gavriel 26:5 disagrees.
* Sh”t Igrot Moshe 4:99 writes that the logic permitting a person to eat before maariv - namely, that if one usually prays in a minyan he won’t forget to pray - should also permit eating before sefira, even after Tzet Hakochavim. Az Nidbaru 6:52, Rav Elyashiv (quoted by Piskei Shemuot p. 47), and Nitai Gavriel 26:4 agree. See Aruch HaShulchan 232:16, who records this leniency regarding mincha. </ref>
# Learning is permitted before sefira if one usually goes to a later minyan. <Ref> Regarding [[Shacharit]], Rashi Brachot 5b understands that Abba Binyamin wouldn’t learn before Davening, however, Tosfot disagrees. Rosh 1:7 explains that Rashi meant only that a person who doesn’t usually pray with a minyan shouldn’t learn before praying. Someone who usually prays with a minyan, on the other hand, is unlikely to forget to pray and thus may learn before praying. Tur and S”A 89:6 codify the Rosh as halacha. Mishna Brurah 232:11 writes that the same is true of mincha. Therefore, when Mishna Brurah 489:24 writes that doing any activity before counting sefira is the same as by mincha, he means that it’s permitted if one usually davens with a minyan. </ref>

==Who is obligated to count?==
# Women are exempt from counting since it’s a Mitzvah Aseh SheZman Grama. <Ref>Rambam (Temidin UMusafin 7:24) rules that women are exempt from counting Sefirah. (Rambam is also found in the Sefer Hamitzvot #161). This is brought in Bet Yosef 489:1 D”H VeTzarich. So rules Magan Avraham 489:1 (who also quotes Zohar Titzaveh pg 319 to show women are exempt) and Mishna Brurah 489:3. [Interestingly, Ramban (Kedushin 34a) holds women are obligated and the Shitat HaKadmonim (last page of Bava Kama) brings the son the Maharam Challavah who explains that Sefirah isn’t Zman Grama since the time doesn’t cause Sefirah, but the Korban HaOmer.]
* Shulchan Shlomo 489:3 writes that women shouldn't count sefirat haomer with a bracha because they might forget to count one night and they won't know the halacha (that they're supposed to continue without a bracha). </ref>
==A child who became [[Bar Mitzvah]]ed during Sefirah==
# A child who became [[Bar Mitzvah]]ed during Sefirah should continue counting without a bracha. <ref> Sh"t Yabea Omer 3:27-28. Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik quoted in Eretz Hatzvi 3:6-7 says that according to the Behag quoted in Tosafot 66a "zecher" the bar-mitzva boy should be allowed to continue with a beracha because the mitzva is dependent on the consecutiveness of the 49 nights, which he fulfills even before becoming of age. </ref>
==Language of the Sefirah==
# Lechatchila, one should know the number of the day when you make the bracha. Bedieved, if one said the bracha with intent to hear the number of the day from his friend and paused to hear his friend after his bracha, he’s Yotsei. <ref> S”A 489:5 writes that if one said the bracha with in mind that one will say the Hayom that his friend says, he fulfills his obligation. Yet, Taz 489:8 writes that implied from S”A is that Lechatchila one should say the bracha only when you know the number of the day. Mishna Brurah 489:29 adds that Lechatchila it’s forbidden to pause for more than Toch Kedi Dibbur. </ref>
# Lechatchila, one should count today is such and such “to the Omer”, Bedieved if one just said today is such and such day you’re yotzei. <Ref> Sh”t Rashba 1:457 brought in Bet Yosef 489 D”H Katav rules that really to fulfill the mitzvah it deosn’t matter whether you mention the Omer or not, however, it’s preferable to mention the Omer to clarify. So rules the Mishna Brurah 489:8. </ref>
==Incorrect intent during Bracha==
# Preferably, one should know the day of the Omer while making the Bracha, however, if one didn't know the day of the Omer but made the Bracha with intent to complete it as one will hear from one's friend and one did do so one has fulfilled one's obligation. <ref> Mishna Brurah 489:29, S"A 489:5 </ref>
# If one started the bracha (Baruch Atta…Melech HaOlam) with in mind to say the wrong night and then finished the bracha with the intent to say the correct night and then said the correct Hayom, one is Yotzei. <ref> Tur 489:6 quotes the Avi Ezri that writes that a person who had in mind the wrong number during the beginning of the bracha and during the end of the bracha he thought of the correct number and said the HaYom correctly, isn’t Yotzei as he needs the beginning and end of the bracha to be with the correct intention. Bet Yosef 489:6 quotes the Mordechai that this Avi Ezri is going according to the opinion that Sefira is Deoritta and therefore since it’s a Safek whether such a Bracha is sufficient (as in Brachot 12a) he must make a new bracha. However, Bet Yosef concludes since majority of RIshonim hold Sefira is Derabbanan, we are lenient on this safek and is Yotzei. So rules the S”A 489:6 and all achronim agree including Mishna Brurah 489:32. </ref>
# If one started the bracha (Baruch Atta…Melech HaOlam) with in mind to say the correct night and then finished the bracha with the intent to say the wrong night and then said the wrong Hayom, according to Sephardim, one is Yotzei, while Ashkenazim hold that if one corrects the Hayom within Toch Kedi Dibbur one is Yotsei but otherwise one isn’t Yotzei and needs a new bracha. <ref> (1) Tur 489:6 quotes the Avi Ezri that writes that a person who had in mind the correct number during the beginning of the bracha and during the end of the bracha he thought of the wrong number and said the wrong HaYom, isn’t Yotzei as he needs the beginning and end of the bracha to be with the correct intention. (2) Bet Yosef 489:6 quotes the Mordechai that this Avi Ezri is going according to the opinion that Sefira is Deoritta and therefore since it’s a Safek whether such a Bracha is sufficient (as in Brachot 12a) he must make a new bracha. However, Bet Yosef concludes since majority of Rishonim hold Sefira is Derabbanan, we are lenient on this safek and is Yotzei. So rules the S”A 489:6 and some achronim agree including Magan Avraham 489:12, Olot [[Shabbat]] 489:6, Chok Yakov 489:19, and Kaf HaChaim 489:75. Yalkut Yosef (Moadim edition 5764 pg 615) writes that one should count again to fulfill the obligation according to everyone however one shouldn’t make a Bracha like S”A. (3) However, Bach (489 D”H UMah SheKatav Katav Od Avi Ezri) argues on the Bet Yosef and says that according to everyone one isn’t Yotzei in such a case as the counting was simply wrong. So rules the Levush, Pri Chadash and Mishna Brurah 489:32. (4) The third approach is that of the Maamer Mordechai 489:8 and Chok Yosef who explains S”A as where one corrected himself within Toch Kedi Dibbur. (5) Another explanation of S”A is that of the Taz 489:9 (to defend S”A against his father-in-law the Bach) who explains that the S”A was only dealing with someone who made the bracha with the wrong intent either in the beginning or in the end and then counted the Hayom correctly and so one fulfills his obligation according to the majority of Rishonim that Sefirah is Derabbanan. </ref>

==Prohibited practices during the Sefirat HaOmer==
The practice is to observe certain practices of mourning during the Sefirah because the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva died during this time. <ref> Tur and Shulchan Aruch 493:1 based on gemara in Yevamot 62b. </ref> There’s three basic minhagim about the mourning period between [[Pesach]] and Shavuot:
# One practice is to mourn the first 33 days from the beginning of the Omer until the 34th day in the morning. This practice is followed by Sephardim. <Ref>The source for this minhag is the Teshuvah of R. Yehoshua Ibn Shuib (cited by Bet Yosef 493:2) which says that the students of Rabbi Akiva died during the Omer except for the last 15 days which leaves the first 34 days, however, based on Miksat HaYom KeKulo (a minority of the day is considered like a whole day) one may stop mourning on the morning of the 34th. This is the ruling of S”A 493:2 and the practice of Sephardim as recorded in Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 493:1). This is explained clearly in Biur HaGra 493:6 D”H Nohagin, Biur Halacha 493 D”H Yesh Nohagim, and [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/714562/Rabbi_Josh_Flug/The_Mourning_Period_Of_Sefirat_Ha'omer Rabbi Flug's article on Sefirat HaOmer]. </ref>
# A second practice is to mourn from the beginning of the Omer until the 33rd day in the morning. This practice is followed by most Ashkenazim. <Ref>The source for this minhag is the Rama 493:2 who holds that the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying on the 33rd day of the Omer and by the principle of Miksat HaYom KeKulo (a minority of the day is considered like a whole day) one may stop mourning on the morning of the 33rd. This is the explanation of the Biur HaGra 493:9 D”H UMarbim, and the practice of Ashkenazim as recorded by [https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehalacha.com%2Fattach%2FVolume5%2FIssue8.pdf Halachically Speaking] (Volume 3, Issue 8, page 3).
This is explained clearly in Biur Halacha 493 D”H Yesh Nohagim and [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/714562/Rabbi_Josh_Flug/The_Mourning_Period_Of_Sefirat_Ha'omer Rabbi Flug's article on Sefirat HaOmer]. </ref>
# A third practice is to mourn 33 not consecutive days during the Omer. <ref>
Bet Yosef 493:3 quotes the Ri Ibn Shoiv who records another tradition that Rabbi Akiva’s students only died on the 33 days during the Sefira when there’s no [[Tachanun]], which are the 7 days of Pesach, 7 Shabbatot, and 2 days of [[Rosh Chodesh]]. Based on this tradition, Sh"t Igrot Moshe 1:159 writes, there is a minhag to mourn for 33 non-consecutive days during the sefira. </ref>This practice is followed by some Ashkenazim. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 489:5 </ref>
## Some observe this practice by mourning from the day after [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar until Erev Shavuot excluding Lag BaOmer. <Ref>Magan Avraham 489:5, Mishna Brurah 493:15 </ref>
##Some observe this practice by mourning from the first day of [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar until the third day before Shavuot. <Ref>Rama 493:3, Magan Avraham 489:5 </ref>
## Some observe this practice by mourning from after Issru Chag until [[Rosh Chodesh]] Sivan excluding the two days of [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar and Lag BaOmer. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 489:15 quoting the Siddur Derech Chaim </ref>
## Some observe this practice by mourning all the days of the Omer expect for [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar and Sivan. <Ref> Sh”t Igrot Moshe 1:159 explains that the reason for this minhag is that it holds that the students of Rabbi Akiva died on all the days between [[Pesach]] and Shavuot except for the 16 days when one can not say [[Tachanun]] (7 days of Pesach, 6 [[Shabbat]]ot, 3 days of [[Rosh Chodesh]]) and so the minhag forbids getting married and cutting hair the entire Sefira except for [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar and Sivan (and [[Pesach]] and [[Shabbat]] are already forbidden to get married). </ref>
# A fourth minhag followed by some is to observe sefira, in regards to not cutting one's hair, for the entire duration of the sefira from Erev [[Pesach]] until Erev Shavuot.<ref>Arizal quoted by Shaarei Teshuva 493:8</ref>
# It is permitted for a wife to observe her family’s mourning period, as long as her husband does not object. <ref> Rav Doniel Neustadt Daily Halacha Discussion page 219 </ref>
===Getting Married===
# The Sephardic custom is not to get married during the Sefira until the 34th day in the morning. <ref> Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 428) </ref>
# The Ashkenazic custom is not to get married during the Sefira until the 33rd day (Lag BaOmer). <Ref> Rama 493:1 </ref>
# If the marriage involves a couple with one side who is Ashkenazic and one side Sephardic, the custom of the husband should be followed. <ref> Sh"t Yabea Omer 3:26(4), Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 429) </ref>
# If one is invited to a wedding which takes place during a time of the sefira when one's custom is to observe the practices of mourning, and the one who is getting married has the custom that it is permissible to get married then, one should not refrain from going to the wedding because of the sefira.<Ref>[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/774533/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_#80_-_Yevamos_-_מפני_מה_גרים_בזה'ז_מעונים,_יש_זיקה,_ספירת_העומר Rabbi Hershel Schachter on yutorah.org (at the very end)] based on a ruling of Rav Moshe Feinstein</ref>
===Getting engaged===
# It's permissible to get engaged during the Sefirah, however one may not have music and one shouldn't dance much. <ref> Maamer Mordechai of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (Sefirat HaOmer #45) </ref>
===Cutting hair===
# In commemoration of the death of the students of Rabbi Akiva, the minhag is not to cut one’s hair during sefira. Although many minhagim exist, the common minhag is that Sephardim don’t cut their hair until the 34th day of sefira in the morning and Ashkenazim don’t cut their hair until the 33rd in the morning.<ref>
* The Gemara Yevamot 62b records the tragic story of Rabbi Akiva’s student passing away between [[Pesach]] and Shavuot. The Tur 493:1 records the minhag not to take hair cuts during sefirat HaOmer in order to mourn the death of Rabbi Akiva’s students. The Tur writes that some would cut their hair from Lag BaOmer and on because there’s a tradition that the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying on Lag BaOmer. The Tashbetz 1:178, however, says that they died until 15 days before Shavuot (Pros HaAseret), which is the 34th of the Omer. S”A 493:2 follows the Tashbetz, while the Rama quotes some who follow the Tur and some who don’t take a hair cut from [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar until Shavuot.
* Bet Yosef 493:3 quotes the Ri Ibn Shoiv who records another tradition that Rabbi Akiva’s students only died on the 33 days during the Sefira when there’s no [[Tachanun]]. According to this tradition, Biur Halacha 493 D”H Yesh the minhag developed to mourn 33 days during the sefira corresponding to the days they died. Kitzur S”A 120:6-7 writes that some mourn the last 33 days of sefira starting after [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar excluding Lag BaOmer and a variant minhag is to mourn from the first day of [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar until the Shelosha Yemei Hagbala excluding Lag BaOmer.
* S”A 493:2 writes that the minhag is to mourn from the beginning of the sefira until the morning of the 34th of the Omer. Kaf HaChaim 493:12 and Chazon Ovadyah (pg 253) agree that this is the common minhag among Sephardim. Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 430) and Maamer Mordechai of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (Sefirat HaOmer #48) agree. Kaf HaChaim 493:12-3 adds that some follow the Arizal’s practice not to cut one’s hair the entire Sefira.
* Although the Mishna Brurah 493:15 records the Ashkenazic minhag to mourn from the first day of [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar until the Shelosha Yemei Hagbala, [http://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/shiur.asp?id=301 Peninei Halacha] (Hilchot Sefirat HaOmer) writes that nowadays the common Ashkenazic minhag is like the Rama to mourn from the beginning of the Omer until Lag BaOmer in the morning.
* Mishna Brurah 493:6 explains S”A as saying that one may only cut one’s hair starting from the 34th in the morning because Miksat HaYom KeKulo only operates starting in the daytime. In 493:10 he writes that the same for the Rama regarding the 33rd. However, Mishna Brurah 493:11 quotes some achronim who argue that one may even cut one’s hair from the nighttime. Rav Shlomo Zalman (cited by Halichot Shlomo p 364, note 80) once permitted taking a hair cut on Lag BeOmer at night. </ref>
# The Sephardic custom on a year that Lag BaOmer falls out on Friday is that one may cut one's hair on Friday morning out of respect for [[Shabbat]] and if one is unable to cut one's hair on Friday morning, it's permissible to cut one's hair on Thursday night after [[Tzet HaKochavim]]. <ref> Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 431-2) </ref>
# According to Ashkenazim, if there's a pressing need women may cut their hair during Sefirat HaOmer.<ref>Sh"t Igrot Moshe YD 2:137. See [https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.thehalacha.com/attach/Volume5/Issue8.pdf&pli=1 Halachically Speaking article on Sefirah]. See Nitai Gavriel (Pesach 49:11) who writes that the minhag not to cut one's hair during sefirah also applies to women. </ref> According to Sephardim, women may cut their hair during the Sefirah.<Ref>Chazon Ovadyah (Yom Tov pg 261)</ref>
# According to some poskim, children under the age of bar mitzvah are permitted to get haircuts during the omer as they are not included in the mourning of the sefirat haomer. <ref> Sh"t Or Litzion 3:page 184 </ref>
# If one has a [[Brit Milah]] during the Sefira, the father of the baby, the Mohel, and the Tzandak may cut their hair that day. <ref> Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 432) </ref>
# It is permissible to tweeze eyebrows or eyelashes. <ref> Bein [[Pesach]] Lishavuot page 241 quoting Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rav Shmuel Wosner. </ref>
# It is permissible to comb hair even if some hairs will be removed in the process. <ref> Mishna Berura 551:20 </ref>
===Shaving===
# Included in the minhag not to take hair cuts is not to shave. <ref> Tur 493 says that some have the custom "lo lihistaper." Masekhet Semachot (7:11) in regards to mourning writes that lihistaper means to cutting the hair of one's head, mustache, beard, and all other hair. Nitai Gavriel (Pesach vol 3, 49:2) and Chazon Ovadyah (p. 262) write that including in the minhag not to take a hair cut is not to shave.</ref> Some authorities permitted someone who shaves daily after having waited 3 or 5 days of not shaving to shave during the Sefira. <ref> Rav Soloveitchik (cited by Rav Schachter in Nefesh HaRav pg 191-2) compared the Sefira to the 12 months of mourning in which a person who shaves daily may shave after waiting a few days. Rav Soloveitchik felt that this was the case because all customs have to be based on some opinion or patterned after another halacha. Therefore, he argues that the mourning of the Omer is parallel to the mourning during the year of mourning for a parent. Therefore since the halacha says that it is permissible to shave during the year once one's friends scold him to tell him that his hair is too long ("ad she-yig'aru bo chaveirav": Moed Katan 22b, Rambam Hilkhot Evel 6:3), it would be permissible during the omer also.
Rav Schachter (“Halachos of Chol HaMoed”, min 67-70) clarified that not shaving for 3 or 5 days is sufficient. Rabbi Willig (“Hilchos [[Pesach]] and Sefira#1”, min 85-90) also quotes Rav Soloveitchik. Rav Aharon Lictenstein [http://vbm-torah.org/archive/halak65/24halak.htm vbm.org] says that it is even an obligation to shave for kavod shabbat on Friday incorporating Rav Soloveitchik's approach. </ref>
# Many Sephardic authorities are lenient regarding shave on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar if it causes one pain not to shave, however, Ashekanzic authorities seem not to accept such a leniency.<ref>
* Bet Yosef 493:3 writes that those who cut their hair on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar because they consider it a [[Yom Tov]] are mistaken because the minhag is not to cut their hair on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar. He adds that they may have mistakenly thought it was permitted based on another minhag which would mourn another 33 days during the sefira. Similarly, Mishna Brurah 493:14 summarizes that according to those who don’t cut their hair the first 33 days of the Sefira, it would be contradictory to shave on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar.
* However, the Radvaz 2:687 permits cutting one’s hair on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar if not cutting one’s hair causes one’s pain based on the halacha that one who is pain is exempt from the mitzvah of Sukkah. Sh”t Chazon Ovadyah (vol 1, pg 55) clarifies that although the halacha of Sukkah is based on Teshvu Kein Taduro, the Radvaz means that it’s logical that one can be lenient if it’s bothersome since sefira is only a minhag. Chida in Yosef Ometz 40:2 and Kaf HaChaim 493:40 write that some rely on this Radvaz. Similarly, Rav Ovadyah in Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 431) and Chazon Ovadyah (pg 262) writes that one should be careful not to shave during sefira and if it’s difficult not to shave, one may shave on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar.
* The Bach 493 quotes the Minhagim who says that it’s permitted to get married on [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar if it falls out on Shabbat and explains that it’s based on the fact that there’s a combination of the kedusha of rosh chodesh and kedusha of Shabbat to override mourning of Sefira. Pri Megadim (E”A 493:2) clarifies that the Bach means getting married on Friday because it’s forbidden to get married on Shabbat. Regarding this Bach, the Pri Chadash 493:3 writes that the same is true for haircuts. Thus, Mishna Brurah 493:5 writes that if [[Rosh Chodesh]] Iyar falls out on Shabbat one may cut one’s hair on Friday. Kitzur S”A 120:6 and S”A HaRav 493:8 agree. It seems clear from the above achronim that [[Rosh Chodesh]] alone isn’t sufficient to permit cutting one’s hair. </ref>
# Many authorities hold that one may not shave on Friday for Kavod Shabbat. If a person is in great pain from not shaving, some say one may shave.<ref>
* It also seems evident from the Bach and Mishna Brurah (see previous footnote) that one may not cut one’s hair because of Kavod Shabbat alone. Thus, Rav Shlomo Zalman (cited by Shalmei Moed pg 449-450) and Rav Yacov Kamenetsky (Emet L’Yaakov 493 note 467) hold that one may not shave in the sefira for Kavod Shabbat.
* However, Rav Lichtenstein (vbm.org) ruled that not only is it permitted but an obligation to shave for kavod Shabbat during sefira just like Kavod Shabbat theoretically overrides the nine days (see Mishna Brurah 551:32). Similarly, Rav Ovadyah in Chazon Ovadyah (Yom Tov pg 262) and Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 431) writes that if one is in great pain one may shave every Friday.</ref>
# Some authorities permit shaving in honor of [[Yom HaAtzmaut]], however, some disagree. <ref> Rabbi Eliezer Melamed (Peninei Halacha "[[Yom HaAtzmaut]]") writes that those who shave regularly should shave prior [[Yom HaAtzmaut]] in order to look presentable for the holiday. He also quotes Rav Yitzchak Nissim and Rav Tzvi Yehuda HaCohen Kook who agreed. Shana Beshana (5752, p. 145) quotes Rav Tzvi [[Pesach]] Frank as agreeing. Shana B’shana (5752, p. 145) quotes Rav Tzvi [[Pesach]] Frank as agreeing. Rav Shaul Yisraeli in Mareh HaBezek 4:54 permits shaving from after midday prior to [[Yom HaAtzmaut]] even for those living outside Israel. However, Yaskil Avdi 6:10 and Rav Soloveitchik (quoted by Rav Schachter in Nefesh HaRav p. 94) argue.</ref>
# Many authorities permit shaving if not shaving will cause one a loss of income; however, each case should be judged individually. <ref>
* Rav Moshe in Igrot Moshe 4:102 rules that if one will lose money by not shaving, one may shave during sefira, because the minhag never applied in a case of monetary loss. In 5:24(9), he explains his position and says that only a person who is concerned about losing his income for the duration of the sefira is permitted to shave. If, however, he can simply borrow money and then repay it with later income, this leniency wouldn’t apply. See Maadanei Shlomo (p. 54) who quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman as also being lenient.
* Similarly, Sh”t Zera Emet 69 writes that for parnasa it is permitted, but each case should be judged independently. Chida in Machzik Bracha 493:4, Kaf Hachaim 493:19, Sh”t Yaskil Avdi 6:5, and Nitai Gavriel (49:8) agree.
* However, Piskei Shemuot (p. 62) quotes Rav Elyashiv saying that nowadays it’s forbidden to shave for parnasa because it’s not considered strange to go unshaven. </ref>
# Many authorities hold that one is not permitted to shave during his custom of sefira in order to look presentable for a date. <Ref> [www.thehalacha.com/attach/Volume5/Issue8.pdf Halachically Speaking] quoting Rav Belsky, Piskei Shmuos (pg 62-63) quoting Rav Elyashiv </ref>

===Cutting nails===
# It is permissible to cut one's nail during the Sefirat HaOmer. <ref>Maamer Mordechai of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (Sefirat HaOmer #54), Kaf Hachayim 493:16, Chazon Ovadia Hilchot Yom Tov page 261 </ref>

===Making Shehecheyanu===
# If something occurs that would require a shehecheyanu, one should recite it as usual. <ref> Mishna Berura 493:2. The minhag not to is quoted in the Eliyahu Zuta 493:1 quoting Rabbeinu Yerucham and Leket Yosher page 97 quoting the Terumat Hadeshen. </ref>
# It is preferable not to wear new clothing which would require one to make a [[Shehecheyanu]] during the Sefira, however, if there's a need one should do it on a [[Shabbat]], at a Simcha of a [[Bar Mitzvah]] or [[Brit Milah]]. <ref> Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 433). Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach Aleihu Lo Yibol 286 and Shalmei Moed page 441 rules that it is completely permissible to buy new clothing if it is not your minhag not to. See Taamei Haminhagim page 251. </ref> The accepted Sephardic minhag is to make [[Shehecheyanu]] as usual. <Ref> Maamer Mordechai of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (Sefirat HaOmer #55) </ref> If one thought it was prohibited to recite shehecheyanu but later found out that it is not, doesn't need a hatarat nedarim to start saying shehecheyanu during sefira. <ref> Yechave Daat 1:24. </ref>
# It is permitted to by new undergarments which do not regularly require a [[Shehecheyanu]] during sefira. <ref> Piskei Teshuvot 493:3 </ref>
# It is permissible to eat a new fruit which would require one to make a [[Shehecheyanu]] during the Sefira. <ref> Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 434), Rav Elyashiv quoted in Mivakshei Torah 19 </ref>
# It is permissible to move into a new apartment and make the requisite [[Shehecheyanu]] during the Sefira. <ref> Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 434) </ref>
===Moving to a New House===

# It is permitted to move to a new house or apartment during sefira. <ref> Piskei Teshuvot 493: note 6 quoting the Satmar Rebbe, Mevakshei Torah 19 quoting Rav Elyashiv, Tzitz Eliezer 11:41. Piskei Teshuvot 493:1 quotes several poskim who bring down this minhag. </ref>
# It is permitted to redecorate or paint one's home. <ref> Yechave Daat 3:30, Tzitz Eliezer 11:41. Piskei Teshuvot 493:1 quotes several poskim who bring this minhag as well. </ref>

===Listening to music===
# It is forbidden to listen to music during the Sefira <ref> Iggerot Moshe OC 1:166, 2:137, Minhag Yisrael Torah 493:8, Aruch Hashulchan 493:2, Yechave Daat 3:30 based on a Magen Avraham that prohibits dancing during sefira because the two come together. Rav Mordechai Willig quoted in http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/735746/Rabbi_Aryeh_Lebowitz/Music_During_Sefira says that music is not necessarily forbidden, the prohition was only placed on things that lead to excessibe joy, which music doesn't necessarily accomplish. </ref> Some poskim say that even if it's not live music, <ref> Az Nidberu 8:58, Iggerot Moshe OC 1:167, Tzitz Eliezer 15:33, Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 434, Maamar Mordechai of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu Sefirat Haomer #40. Chelkat Yaakov 1:62 argues that a device which didn't exist at the time of the decree cannot be included. In his article at [[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/735746/Rabbi_Aryeh_Lebowitz/Music_During_Sefira]] Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz says that this argument can only be made for music in general, but during sefira this would not apply because there was never a formal ban placed on music specifically during sefira. See http://halachipedia.com/index.php?title=Listening_to_Music for the discussion about music during the year. </ref> and this practice should be kept until at least the 34th of the Omer. <ref> Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 434), Maamer Mordechai of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (Sefirat HaOmer #40), </ref> Some poskim even prohibit listening to a Capella music. <ref> Shevet Halevi 8:127, Salmat Chaim 4:21. see http://matzav.com/p%E2%80%99sak-from-rav-yisroel-belsky-and-rav-shlomo-miller-on-acappella-music-during-sefirah-2 that Rav Yisrael Belsky and Rav Shlomo Miller differentiate between different types of a cappella, only permitting choirs which simply sound like a group of people singing and nothing more. Rav Binyamin Silber in Az Nidberu 8:58 discussing music during the year says that a recorded voice is considered like an instrument. </ref>
#According to some poskim slow music that would not lead to dancing such as slow classical music can be listened to. <ref> http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/735746/Rabbi_Aryeh_Lebowitz/Music_During_Sefira quotes Sefer Eleh Heim Moadai quoting Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg and Rav Eliyahu Schlesinger. </ref>
# If not listening to recorded music will result in depression, even the stringent authorities would permit it. <ref> Hilchot Chag B’chag p.63, Halichot Shlomo, Moadim 2:11:14. </ref>
# If one is reliant on playing live music to make an income, he is permitted to. <ref> Iggerot Moshe OC 3:87. </ref>
==Sources==
<references/>

Lag BaOmer

2013-04-29T16:13:55Z

Ydeutscher:

# On the day of Lag BeOmer we increase in celebration a little. Some of the reasons include: it’s to remember that on Lag BaOmer the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying, <ref>Meiri Yevamot 62b, Kitzur S”A 120:6 </ref> it’s the day of the Hilulah (anniversary of the passing) of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai,<ref>Chida in Moreh Etzbah 223 </ref> it’s the day that Rabbi Akiva gave Semicha to his new students <ref>Pri Chadash 493, Kaf HaChaim 493:26 </ref>, and to remember the Maan which began to fall on this day. <Ref>Sh”t Chatom Sofer Y”D 233 </ref>
# [[Tachanun]] is omitted on Lag BaOmer. It is also omitted at [[Mincha]] of the day before Lag BaOmer. <Ref>Rama 493:2, Mishna Brurah 493:9, Natai Gavriel (Pesach vol 3, 58:3) </ref>
# If Lag BaOmer falls out on Sunday then there’s no Tzidkatcha at [[Mincha]] of [[Shabbat]]. <ref> Levush 493, Natai Gavriel (Pesach vol 3, 58:4) </ref>
# One shouldn’t fast on Lag BeOmer. <Ref> Natai Gavriel (Pesach vol 3, 59:5) based on Meiri Yevamot 62b</ref> However, if one’s wedding is that day one may fast on Lag BaOmer. <Ref>Halichot Shlomo 11:22 </ref>
# Music and dancing are permitted. <Ref>Pri Megadim S”A 493:1, Kaf HaChaim 493, Natai Gavriel (Pesach vol 3, 58:11) </ref>
# Some Gedolim were very opposed to burning clothing because of Baal Tashchit (prohibition of wasting), while others defend the minhag. <Ref> Natai Gavriel (Pesach vol 3, 59:13) </ref>
# Kohanim shouldn’t go into the Kever of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meyron. <Ref>Halichot Shlomo 11:23 </ref>
# Ashkenazim may cut their hair on the morning of Lag BaOmer. <Ref> Rama 493:2 </ref> while some are lenient to permit it from the night of Lag BaOmer. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 493:11 quoting the Eliyah Rabba </ref>Sephardim shouldn’t cut their hair until the morning of the 34th of the Omer. <ref>S”A 493:2 </ref>
# According to Ashkenazim, if Lag BaOmer falls out on Sunday then it’s permissible to cut one’s hair on Friday for kavod [[Shabbat]]. <ref>Rama 493:2. See Bear Hetiev 493:6 quotes those who are strict but ends off that if the minhag is to be lenient one doesn’t need to be strict. </ref> Some say it’s preferable to do so after Chatzot (halachic midday). <Ref>Halichot Shlomo (Chapter 11 note 79) </ref>
==Sources==
<references/>

Chol HaMoed

2013-03-18T16:26:34Z

Ydeutscher:

[[Image:Nissan.png|thumb|right|Calendar from Kaluach of the month of Nissan with the first day of Chol HaMoed [[Pesach]] highlighted]]
Chol HaMoed are the intermediate days of the [[holidays]] [[Sukkot]] and [[Pesach]]. In the diaspora, on [[Pesach]], Chol HaMoed spans from the third day of [[Pesach]] until and including the sixth day, and on [[Sukkot]] from the third day of [[Sukkot]] until [[Shemini Aseret]]. In Israel, on [[Pesach]], Chol HaMoed starts on the second day of [[Pesach]] and lasts until and including the sixth day, and on [[Sukkot]] from the second day of [[Sukkot]] until [[Shemini Aseret]].
==Kavod and Oneg==
# There’s a requirement of Kavod and Oneg on Chol HaMoed. This includes having special food, drinks, and clothing, but it is more lenient than Kavod of [[Yom Tov]]. <ref> Sh”t Rabbi Akiva Eiger 1 (in the Hashmatot) and S”A HaRav 529:5 write that there’s no Kavod and Oneg on Chol HaMoed. On the other hand, Magan Avraham 530:1, Mishna Brurah 530:1, Sefer Chol HaMoed (pg 1; by Rabbi Dovid Zucker) write that there’s Kavod and Oneg on Chol HaMoed, however, Shaar Tzion 530:4 points out that it’s not as strict as Kavod of Yom Tov. Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 502) agrees. </ref>
# As part of Kavod, one should wear clothes that a little better than weekday clothes. Some have the minhag to wear [[Shabbat]] clothing on Chol HaMoed. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 530:1, Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 502), and Aruch HaShulchan 530:4 write that there’s an obligation to wear clothes a little better than weekday clothes. Nimukei Orach Chaim 530:3 and Chaye Adam 106:1 hold it’s an obligation to wear [[Shabbat]] clothes, but one doesn’t need to wear Yom Tov clothes which are a little better than [[Shabbat]] clothes. Mishna Brurah 530:1 writes that the Maharil's practice was to wear [[Shabbat]] clothes on Chol HaMoed. </ref>
# As part of Kavod, some have the practice to leave the table cloth on the table all of Chol HaMoed. <Ref> Pri Megadim 639 (M”Z 639:1) and Aruch HaShulchan 530:4 </ref>
# As part of Kavod, one is not obligated to have a bread meal, however, it is preferable to do so. <Ref>S”A 188:7 writes that since there’s no obligation to have a meal on Chol HaMoed is one forgets Yaaleh VeYavo one doesn’t repeat Brikat HaMazon. Magan Avraham 530:1, Mishna Brurah 530:1, and Yalkut Yosef (Moedim pg 502) write that it’s preferable to have bread since Kavod is with food and the most important food is bread. </ref>
==Simcha==
# There’s a requirement of Simcha on Chol Hamoed just like there is on Yom Tov. <ref>Rambam Hilchot Yom Tov 6:17. This is quoted as halacha by S”A HaRav 529:6-7 and Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 502). </ref>
# One should fulfill simcha of Chol HaMoed with what makes each person happy. Some say that this can be fulfilled with any activity that brings a person enjoyment. However, some have the practice to fulfill simcha as Chazal instituted concerning Yom Tov: men to drink wine, women by wearing new clothing, and children by getting toys or candies. <Ref>
* Regarding simcha of Yom Tov, the Gemara Pesachim 109a says that since there's nowadays there's no Korbanot Shlamim, one fulfills simcha with wine. The Gemara continues that women fulfill their simcha with new clothes and children with toys and candies. This is codified as halacha by the Rambam (Yom Tov 6:17) and S”A 529:2. Rambam (Mitzvah 54) and Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 488) hold that Simcha is a Mitzvah Deoritta nowadays, however, Tosfot (Moed Katan 14b D”H Aseh) holds that Simcha is only Derabbanan nowadays.
* According to the Magan Avraham 530:1, Nimukei Orach Chaim 530:2, Moadim UZmanim 1:29 there’s no obligation to have wine on Chol HaMoed (this may be based on Sukkah 47b). However, Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (by Rabbi Dovid Zucker Siman 1) writes that from Rambam 6:17 it seems that all the days of the holiday are equal in fulfilling the mitzvah of Simcha. Similarly, Sh”t Rabbi Akiva Eiger 1 (in the Hashmatot), Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (Buir 1) in name of Rav Yacov Kamenetsky, Rav Moshe Feinstein and the Debersiner Rav hold that there’s a reason to have wine to fulfill simcha. </ref>
# According to those who fulfill simcha on Chol HaMoed like simcha on Yom Tov, men should fulfill simcha with wine and not grape juice. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (Buir 1:2) quotes Rabbi Moshe Feinstien and the Debersiner Rav who say that grape juice doesn’t fulfill the mitzvah of simcha. Nemukei Orach Chaim 529:2 writes that one should have a reviyat of wine, while Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 3; based on Sh”t Rosh 25:1) writes that a Meloh Lugmav is sufficient. </ref>
==Special parts of Davening==
===Shemonah Esrei===
# On Chol HaMoed, one should insert [[Yaaleh VeYavo]] in [[Shemoneh Esrei]] during the Bracha of Avoda (Retzeh). If one forgot to say Yaaleh VeYavo and remembered before concluding [[Shemoneh Esrei]] (with Yeyihu LeRatzon) one should return to Retzeh and continue from there. However, if one only remembered after finishing [[Shemoneh Esrei]], one must repeat [[Shemoneh Esrei]]. <ref>S"A 124:10, Kitzur S"A 19:11, Tefillah KeHilchato 23:106 </ref>
===Birkat HaMazon===
# On Chol HaMoed, one should insert [[Yaaleh VeYavo]] in the middle of the third Bracha of [[Birkat HaMazon]]. <Ref>S”A 188:4,5 </ref>
# If one forgot Yaaleh VeYavo and one realized:
## before saying Hashem’s name at the end of the third Bracha, one should return to Yaaleh VeYavo and then continue from there. <ref>Halachos of Brachos (pg 510) </ref>
## after saying Hashem’s name but before saying Boneh Yerushalayim, one should immediately say למדני חוקיך which is the conclusion of a פסוק in Tehillim and then return to Yaaleh Veyavo and continue from there. <ref>Halachos of Brachos (pg 510) </ref>
## after finishing the third Bracha before starting the fourth Bracha one should insert a special Bracha ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם שנתן מועדים לעמו ישראל לששון ולשמחה את יום חג (פלוני) הזה <ref>Halachos of Brachos (pg 513) writes that the special Bracha to insert on Chol HaMoed is ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם שנתן מועדים לעמו ישראל לששון ולשמחה את יום חג. (פלוני) הזה. This is based on Mishna Brurah 188:27 who writes that the special Bracha of Chol HaMoed doesn’t have a conclusion like the Bracha of Rosh Chodesh. </ref>
## within the first six words of the fourth Bracha (ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם), one should continue with the special Bracha (שנתן...) mentioned in the last option. <ref>Halachos of Brachos (pg 515) </ref>
## after one said the seventh word in the fourth Bracha, one should continue and not repeat Birkat Hamazon. <Ref> S”A 188:7 writes that one doesn’t need to repeat [[Birkat HaMazon]] if one forgot Yaaleh VeYavo on Chol HaMoed because there’s no obligation to have a bread meal on Chol HaMoed. </ref>
===Torah Reading===
# On Shabbat Chol HaMoed, both on Sukkot and Pesach, the Torah reading is from Reah Atta (usually Shelishi) until the end of Parshat Ki Tisa. <Ref>Rav Huna in Gemara Megillah 31a says that on Shabbat Chol HaMoed we read the portion beginning with Reah Atta. Rashi explains that we read this portion because it includes the mitzvot of shabbat, the regalim, and a reference to Chol HaMoed (derived by chazal in gemara Chagiga 18a).</ref>The Haftorah for Shabbat Chol HaMoed Sukkot is Bayom Bah Gog (beginning from Yechezkel 38:18) and the Haftorah for Shabbat Chol HaMoed [[Pesach]] is Atzamot Yeveshot (beginning from Yechezkel 37:4).<reF>Gemara Megillah 31a</ref>
==Forbidden work==
# There’s a dispute whether work on Chol HaMoed is a Biblical prohibition or a Rabbinic one. According to Sephardim, the halacha is that work on Chol HaMoed is a Rabbinic prohibition. <Ref> In general, Rambam and Rosh hold the melacha is Derabbanan, while Rashi and the Rif hold it’s Deoritta (see Bet Yosef 530). In conclusion, Buir Halacha 530 D”H Umater brings many ריאשונים who hold melacha on Chol HaMoed is Deoritta and concludes that even though Shulchan Aruch holds that melacha is Derabbanan, one shouldn’t be lenient unless there’s a great need. However, Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 504) writes that one may be lenient like Shulchan Aruch and if there’s a safek (dispute in halacha) one can be lenient as it’s only derabbanan. </ref>
===Tircha without Melacha===
# A strenuous activity (one that involves exertion) is forbidden even if it doesn’t involve any Melacha. <Ref> S”A 535:1 writes that one may not move homes on Chol HaMoed. Mishna Brurah 535:1 explains that it’s forbidden because of the tircha (exertion) involved. </ref>
# For example, it’s forbidden to move heavy furniture (unless there’s a need see below). <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 7) brings this as an example of forbidden exertion on Chol HaMoed. </ref>
===Degradation of the holiday===
# Certain activities must be limited to avoid degradation of the holiday. For this reason, even when commercial activity is permitted it should be done in private. <Ref> Buir Halacha 539 D”H Eino Mutar, quoted by Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 8) </ref>
# For example, it’s forbidden to paint one’s apartment on Chol HaMoed to improve its appearance. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 8) in name of Rav Moshe Feinstein. </ref>
===When Melacha is permitted for no reason===
# The forbidden melachot includes all 39 melachot and derabbanan’s of [[Shabbat]] and Yom Tov except for: carrying, going beyond techum (2000 amot), muktzah, VeDaber Dvar (preparing or talking about business issues), Havarah (lighting a fire), Tevilat Kelim, removing Trumah, <ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 8-9) writes that there’s four exceptions to the forbidden melachot of Chol HaMoed including: carrying, techum, muktzah, and VeDvar Dvar. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 68:26 writes that besides these four there’s also no melacha of Havarah (lighting a fire), Gezerah about Tevilat Kelim and removing Trumah. </ref>
# Shevitat Behemto (having one’s animal work or renting it out), and Mechamer (leading one’s animal) according to some apply on Chol HaMoed and some say that it doesn’t apply and there’s what to rely on to be lenient. <Ref> Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 530:5) writes that Shevitat Behemto and Mechamer don’t apply on Chol HaMoed. However, Biur Halacha (536 D”H UMutar Lirkov) writes that there’s a Safek Safeka to be lenient and one shouldn’t protest those who are lenient in this case. Chol HaMoed KeHilchato 2:14 writes that the only reason to be lenient is the Safek Safeka and those who hold melacha is Deoritta would hold it’s forbidden. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 68:26 writes that there’s room to be lenient unless the animal is doing a Deoritta prohibition. </ref>
# It’s permitted to go biking since that’s not considered a melacha. <ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 22) </ref>
===Is work done in violation forbidden from benefit?===
# If one did violate Chol HaMoed unintentionally, one may be lenient and benefit from the work that day. However, if one violated the Chol HaMoed intentionally, that individual shouldn’t benefit from it forever, and others may benefit for it after the holiday. <ref> S”A 318:1 rules that if one violates [[Shabbat]] unintentionally, the work is prohibited from benefit until after [[Shabbat]] and for intention violations, the work is prohibited for the perpetrator forever and everyone else is permitted after [[Shabbat]]. Magan Avraham 538:2 says that this same prohibitions would apply to someone who violates Chol HaMoed according to those that melacha on Chol HaMoed is Deoritta. However, if melacha on CHol haMoed is Derabbanan, there’s shouldn’t be any prohibitions just like Derabbanan melachot on [[Shabbat]]. (Biur Halacha 318 D”H HaMivashel who writes in name of the Gra and Chaye Adam that a Derabbanan Melacha is permitted on [[Shabbat]] itself.) Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 15) writes that for this safek one can be lenient based on the fact that the entire prohibition is a rabbinic penalty. However, writes the Hilchot Chol Moed, for an intentional violation, there’s more reason to be strict based on Mishna Brurah 538:16. </ref>

==The five reasons which permit melacha==
# Melacha on Chol HaMoed is forbidden just like Yom Tov, however, there are five major leniencies to permit Melacha on Chol HaMoed which are: 1) Tzorech HaMoed(work done for work a need for the holiday), 2) Tzorech Ochel Nefesh (work to prepare food), 3) Tzarchi Rabim (work needed for communal purpose), 4) Dvar HaAved (work done to avoid a loss), 5) Poel Shein Lo Mah Yochal (work done by a laborer who doesn’t have food to eat). <Ref> Tur 530 writes that all of the melachas of [[Shabbat]] and [[Yom Tov]] apply to Chol HaMoed with five reasons to permit Melacha. This is codified by Biur HaGra 530:1 and Mishna Brurah 530:1. </ref>
===Chart of the five reasons===
<table width="700" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" bordercolor="#000000" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><tr> <td> </td> <td> Need of the holiday (Tzorech hamoed ) </td> <td> Making Food (Ochel Nefesh) </td> <td> Communal need (Tzarechei Rabbim) </td> <td> Financial loss (Dvar HaAved) </td> <td> A very poor worker (Poel Shein Lo Mah Yochal) </td>
</tr><tr><td> Professional labor (Maaseh uman) </td> <td> Forbidden <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 11) </ref> </td> <td> Permitted <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 36) </ref> </td> <td> Permitted <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 47) </ref> </td> <td> Permitted <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 51) </ref> </td> <td> Permitted </td> </tr><tr>
</tr><tr><td> Excessive exertion (Tircha Yeterah) </td> <td> Permitted <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 17) </ref> </td> <td> Permitted <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 36) </ref> </td> <td> Permitted <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 47) </ref> </td> <td> Forbidden <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 52) </ref> </td> <td> - </td> </tr><tr>
</tr><tr><td> Planning work for the holiday (Mitchaven LeMoed) </td> <td> Forbidden <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 61) </ref> </td> <td> Permitted <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 36) </ref> </td> <td> Permitted <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 47) </ref> </td> <td> Forbidden <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 61) </ref> </td> <td> - </td> </tr><tr>
</tr><tr><td> Paying for the work (Socher BeDamim) </td> <td> Forbidden <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 16) </ref> </td> <td> Permitted but preferable to get a goy <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 36) </ref> </td> <td> Permitted <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 47) </ref> </td> <td> Permitted <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 51) </ref> </td> <td> Permitted </td> </tr><tr>
</tr><tr><td> Work in Public (BeFarhesia) </td> <td> - for uman <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 23) </ref> </td> <td> Forbidden <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 37) </ref> </td> <td> Permitted <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 47) </ref> </td> <td> Forbidden <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 52) </ref> </td> <td> Forbidden </td> </tr><tr>
</tr><tr><td> Working for after the holiday (LeAcher HaMoed) </td> <td> Forbidden <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 18) </ref> </td> <td> Forbidden <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 37) </ref> </td> <td> Permitted <ref> Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 47) </ref> </td> <td> - </td> <td> - </td> </tr><tr> </table>

==Tzorech HaMoed==
# Work is permitted for Tzorech HaMoed meaning that unskilled work is permitted if done for a need for the holiday. However, skilled work is forbidden even for a need of the holiday. <ref> S"A 540:1, Mishna Brurah 540:1, Biur HaGra 530:1 </ref>
# Tzorech HaMoed is only permitted if the work entails no tircha (exertion) <ref> Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 66:38 based on Mishna Brurah 540:7. Aruch HaShulchan 540:4 forbids great exertion. Pri Megadim M”Z 540:3 permits even great exertion. (Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 66:38 adds that the pri megadim means that it’s permitted if it’s a מעשה hedyot or shinui.) See Nishmat Adam 110:1. Netivei Moed 7:2 says tzorech hamoed must be hedyot and one should still minimize the exertion. </ref>
# It’s permitted to do an action even if it will involve violating a melacha indirectly if there’s a holiday need. For example, it’s permitted to cut branches in order to make Sachach for the Sukkah as long as one makes sure to only cut from one side of the tree. Another example, it’s permitted to wash one’s hands over grass. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 18-9), Pitchei Teshuvot 530:1 </ref>
===What’s called a holiday “need”?===
# Anything where there’s a likely possibility that the work is needed is considered Tzorech HaMoed. <Ref> Pri Megadim A”A (intro to 537) writes that even if there is only a doubt if there will be a Dvar Aved one may do work on Chol HaMoed. Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 17) writes that it is sufficient if there is a reasonable possibility of a Dvar Aved. However, the Mishna Brurah 537:1 writes that it must seem as being "close to" a Tzorech HaMoed. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 66:34 agrees. </ref>
# One may not delay doing a certain work from before Chol HaMoed and do it on Chol HaMoed. <Ref>S”A 536:1 </ref>
# Fixing a broken object is called a holiday need if the object will be needed, however, if there’s a replacement that can be used instead or one could easily borrow a replacement, fixing the object isn’t a holiday need. <Ref> Based on Bet Yosef 534 and Magan Avraham 544:1, Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 12) writes that if one can borrow a replacement one must not fix the broken object. </ref>
# It’s permissible to vacuum in an area you usually vacuum once a week. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 19) </ref>
# Some say it’s forbidden to nail a picture to a wall for decorative purposes, while others permit since it involves no skilled work or exertion. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 19-20) </ref>
# It’s forbidden to garden, plant, dewed, or move grass on Chol HaMoed. Watering is only permitted if the plant is in danger of dying. <ref> S"A 537:1, Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 21) </ref>
# It’s permitted to pick flowers in order to decorate for the holiday. <ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 21), Chol HaMoed KeHilchato (7:4 pg 234) </ref>

===Simchat Chag===
# An activity that brings one simcha is considered a holiday need as it’s a mitzvah to have simcha on the holiday. For example, going on a family trip is considered simchat haChag and so it’s permissible to wash one’s car windows or fill up the tank in order to drive to the park. <ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 22) </ref>
# For example, since playing music is considered a simchat hachag, it’s permitted to fix (in an unskilled fashion) an instrument in order to play music for the holiday. <ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 21) </ref>

===Preparing from Chol HaMoed to Yom Tov===
# It’s permitted to do work for a Tzorech HaMoed from one day of Chol HaMoed in preparation for the other days of Chol HaMoed or for days of Yom Tov. <ref> Pri Megadim 533 M”Z is in doubt whether one may cook from one day of Chol HaMoed for another. However, Kaf HaChaim 533:6 and Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 18) rule that it is permissible. Additionally, Hagahot Rabbi Akiva Eiger 539:11, Eshel Avraham 330, and Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 18) write that it’s permissible to cook from Chol HaMoed to Yom Tov including Yom Tov Sheni of Galiyot. </ref>
===Melacha needed in preparation for a Tzorech HaMoed===
# Just as unskilled work is permitted for a Tzorech HaMoed, so too it’s permitted to do preparatory work that’s nessecary for a Tzorech HaMoed. <Ref>Magan Avraham 545:25 and Mishna Brurah 545:48 say that preparatory work that’s necessary for a Tzorech HaMoed is permissible such as preparing a quill and ink to write things that are permitted to write on Chol HaMoed. </ref>
# For example, one may sharpen a pencil in order to writes a social letter for the Moed. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 17) </ref>
===Needs for others===
# Unskilled work is permitted even for the need of others as long as one isn’t being hired. <Ref> S”A 542:1 </ref>
# One is allowed to hire a non-Jew to do work that’s permitted for a Jew to perform and it’s permitted to pay the non-Jew for the work. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 16) based on Buir Halacha 541 D”H Elah and 542 D”H Afilu. </ref>
===Examples===
# For example, if a chair broke, it may be fixed in an unskilled manner is the chair is needed for the holiday, however, if another chair could be used or a chair could be borrowed one shouldn’t fix the chair. Additionally, if it takes carpentry skills to fix the chair or it was broken before the holiday and could have been fixed then, one may not fix the chair. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 12) based on the principles of Tzorech HaMoed. </ref>
# For example, it’s permissible to change a tire, jumpstart a car, or change it’s battery if the car will be used for festival purposes. <ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 15, 22) </ref> However, making other car repairs which require skilled work are forbidden to make (unless there’s a financial loss like having to leave your car on the road and having to return for it). <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 23), Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 66:59</ref>
# Washing or vacuuming the floor which is usually cleaned once or more times a week is permitted during Chol HaMoed. <Ref> Minchat Yom Tov 104:2 writes that since it’s normal to wash the floor twice a week it’s permissible to wash the floors on Chol Hamoed even if it’s a excessive work, however, scrubbing the floor to remove dirt is forbidden as it involves a melacha and requires excessive effort. Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 19) extends this to floors that are cleaned once a week, and permits vacuuming as well. </ref>
# One may change the tire of a car if the car is needed for use during the holiday. One may also change the tire for a friend’s car if one isn’t being paid. <ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 15) rules like Sh”t Shevet HaLevi 1:166(3) even though he quotes the Debrinsiner Rav who says that it’s a maaseh uman and involves a tircha. </ref>
# Many forbid fishing for pleasure on Chol HaMoed, while some are lenient. If the fish will be eaten one may be lenient. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 38) writes in name of the Debrinsiner Rav that it’s forbidden to fish for pleasure and points out that Rav Moshe Feinstein permits. However many others side are strict including Sh”t Rivevot Efraim 1:356(2) and Chol HaMoed KeHilchato in name of Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurerbach and Rav Wosner. Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 38) writes that (according to all) one can be lenient if the fish will be eaten. </ref>

===Maaseh Uman===
# For a person who isn't a tailor and isn't adept at sewing, sewing is considered not a Maaseh Uman. However, the average women is proficient at sewing and so is considered an Uman. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 14) writes that nowadays most men aren’t adept at sewing. </ref>
# A skilled worker may sew with a Shinui, meaning, making long stitches and alternating between high and low stitches (forming a zig-zag). <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 14) </ref>
# When sewing on a button, many hold that it is a sufficient Shinui to sew it loosely and only use 2 out of 4 holes (such as two diagonal ones). However, some say that it is an insufficient Shinui unless one has no other clothes to wear. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 14) quotes Rav Yacov Kamenetsky and the Debrinsiner Rav who allow if the action is significantly changed such as it’s loose and one only sews it through 2 holes. Hilchot Chol HaMoed continues to quote Rav Moshe Feinstein who forbids unless there’s no other clothes to wear. </ref>
# According to some authorities, it’s never considered a Shinui if a skilled person sews with a sewing machine while others are lenient if one makes a Shinui.

==Preparation of food==
# It’s permissible to do melachot in order to prepare food for the holiday (from one day of Chol HaMoed to another day of Chol HaMoed or from Chol HaMoed to Yom Tov). <ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 37) </ref>
# It’s permissible even if the melacha was deliberately pushed off to doing it on Chol HaMoed. <Ref> S”A 533:1 </ref>
# If one has adequate supply of the specific food one shouldn’t cook that food on Chol HaMoed unless the fresher food will be tastier. <Ref> S”A 533:1 writes that if one already has flour one should not ground new flour; however, even if one has bread one may cook new bread since hot bread is tastier. Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 37) agrees.</ref>
# It’s permissible to take wages for cooking on Chol HaMoed food that’s needed for the holiday, however, it’s preferable to have a non-Jewish cook do it. <ref>Buir Halacha 542, Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 36) </ref>
# It’s permissible to fish on Chol HaMoed or to pick fruit on Chol Hamoed with intent to eat the fish or fruit. It’s permissible to fish or pick fruit abundantly so that one will be able to choose the choicest among them to eat. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 38). S”A 537:15 regarding fruits, Mishna Brurah 533:14, 18 regarding fish. </ref>
===Cooking extra===
# One may not cook on Chol HaMoed in order to have food after the holiday, however it’s permissible to cook generously without calculating precisely and if there’s leftovers, it’s permissible to have them after the holiday. <ref>S”A 533:1 </ref>
# If one transgressed and did cook for after the holiday it’s still permissible to eat it. <ref> S”A 527:23 rules this regarding Yom Tov and Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 38) writes that this is true regarding Chol HaMoed as well. </ref>
===For whom?===
# It’s permissible to cook for fellow Jews, but one may not do extra work in cooking for a non-Jew. If one is just adding more ingredients to the pot (not considered extra work for the non-Jew) it’s permissible. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 36) </ref>
# It’s permissible to prepare food for guests even though it’s uncertain that they will come (as long as there’s a reasonable possibility). <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 37) </ref>
==Preliminary preparations for food==
# Preliminary preparations such as sharpening a knife or repairing a stove in order to make food for Yom Tov is permissible if one wasn’t able to fix in before Yom Tov. <Ref>S”A 540:7-8, Mishna Brurah 540:27 </ref>
# It’s permissible to do preparations even in a skilled fashion and even if it involves excessive effort. <ref>Mishna Brurah 540:18 and 537:15, Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 39) </ref>
# However it’s forbidden to intentionally postpone preliminary preparations from before the holiday until Chol HaMoed and if one did so, one may not work on it on Chol HaMoed. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 540:27, Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 40) </ref>
# One may only do work that would cause an improvement to the food itself which is true of a knife or stove, however, one may not fix a can-opener or a table as these do not enhance the food but rather these can only be fixed with unskilled work. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 40) </ref>

==Physical needs of a person==
# It’s permissible to do work for the physical needs of a person (Tzarchei HaGuf) on Chol HaMoed even if it involves skilled work or excessive effort. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 41) </ref>
# Therefore, one may shower with hot water and soap, brush one’s teeth on Chol HaMoed. Similarly, a women may apply cosmetics or tweeze eyebrow or body hair. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 41) </ref>
# If one’s only pair of glasses break one may fix it or have a professional optician fix it. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 42) </ref>
# It’s permissible to have a heater fixed if it’s very cold and an air conditioner fixed if it’s very hot on Chol HaMoed. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 43) </ref>
# It’s permissible to treat a person’s health from illness or preventing a decline in health. However, many forbid doing work for a small ache or pain. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 45) </ref>
# It’s permissible to take medications on Chol haMoed. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 45) </ref>
# Some permit a regular medical checkup, whereas others advise avoiding it on Chol HaMoed. <Ref>http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/733780/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Hilchos_Chol_Hamoed min 29-30, Rav Hershel Schachter holds that it’s permissible to schedule a doctor’s appointment even lechatchila and even if you planned to go on Chol HaMoed. Whereas Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 46) quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein saying that one should not have a routine checkup if it does not involve a Melacha such as drawing blood. </ref>

==Taking a haircut==
# It’s a mitzvah to take a haircut on Erev Yom Tov. <ref>S”A 531:1 </ref>
# It’s forbidden to take a haircut on Chol HaMoed as the rabbis prohibited this so that people wouldn’t prepare properly before the holiday. <ref>S”A 531:2 </ref>
# It’s forbidden to take a haircut even if one took one before the holiday. <ref> S”A 531:2 </ref>
# This prohibition applies both to men and women <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 26) </ref> but not to children below the age of Bar or Bat Mitzvah if it is causing them discomfort. <ref>Mishna Brurah 531:16 </ref>
# Chazal did not make an exception for someone who was sick and was unable to cut one’s hair before the holiday and forbid him as well. <Ref>S”A 531:3 </ref>
# Chazal made a few exceptions and permitted certain people to cut hair on Chol HaMoed including a person who was released from prison on the holiday or late on Erev Yom Tov, one who arrives from over seas on Erev Yom Tov and was unable to cut one’s hair all of Erev Yom Tov, and one who was a mourner for a relative other than a parent, whose seventh day of mourning occurred on Erev Yom Tov which was [[Shabbat]] (and so he was unable to shave before the holiday). <ref>S”A 531:4, Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 27) </ref> Those who Chazal permitted to permitted to cut one’s hair should do so in private. <Ref>S”A 531:5 </ref>
# Cutting one’s hair for medical reason is permissible. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 29) quoting Mishna Brurah 531:21 </ref>
# It’s permissible to comb or wash one’s hair even though predictably hairs will be pulled out. <Ref>Rama 531:8 </ref>
===Shaving on Chol HaMoed===
# In general, it's forbidden to shave on Chol HaMoed unless this jeopardizes one’s job. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 26) </ref>
# Many Ashkenazic authorities permitted someone who shaves regularly, at least once every 3 days, and shaved on Erev Yom Yov to shave on Chol HaMoed if there's a great need or is pained by not shaving. Also, one who relies on this only to look presentable doesn't have to be protested. <ref>
* Nodeh BeYehuda 1:13 writes that one may rely on the opinion of Rabbenu Tam who holds that one who shaved on Erev Chag may shave during Chol HaMoed on condition that the one cutting the hair is a poor person who doesn’t have what to eat. When asked why he printed such a novel idea, in Nodeh BeYehuda 2:99-101 he explains that if he didn’t print it, people would go to non-Jewish barbers who use razors and he had another secret reason. The Chatom Sofer 154 writes that the Nodeh BeYehuda’s hidden reason was that there were some who shaved daily with a razor and by allowing them to shave on Chol HaMoed he would save them from a Biblical prohibition of shaving with a razor as long as their hair stayed below some minimal level. In conclusion, the Chatom Sofer disagreed with the Nodeh BeYehuda’s leniency.
* Based on the opinion of Rabbenu Tam, Sh”t Igrot Moshe 163 rules leniently for someone who shaved on Erev Yom Tov and regularly shaves at least once in every 3 days, and he’s pained by not shaving or has a great need to shave. [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/764803/Rabbi_Shmuel_Marcus/Shaving_on_Chol_Hamoed Rabbi Shmuel Marcus] explains this teshuva of Rav Moshe.</ref> However, Sephardim do not accept this leniency. <ref>Chazon Ovadyah (Yom Tov pg 190)</ref>
# Some authorities are even more lenient and say that if one shaves daily and shaved on Erev Yom Tov one should shave on Chol HaMoed. <ref>[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/733780/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Hilchos_Chol_Hamoed Rav Schachter] (min 50-53) quotes Rav Soloveitchik who said that anyone who had permit to shave should shave in order to look presentable for the holiday. This is also recorded in Nefesh HaRav (p. 189).</ref>

==Nail cutting==
# Ashkenazim hold that it’s forbidden to cut one’s nails on Chol HaMoed, while Sephardim hold that it’s permissible. <Ref> S”A 532:1 holds it’s permissible, while Rama 532:1 writes that the minhag is to be strict on this issue. Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 531-2:10) writes that Sephardim follow S”A, and Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 29) writes that the Ashkenazic minhag is like the Rama. </ref>
# If one cut one's nails on Erev Yom Tov one may cut them on Chol HaMoed. <ref>Mishna Brurah 532:2 </ref>
# It’s permissible to cut one’s nails with one’s hands or teeth. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 532:3 </ref>
# If one usually cuts one’s nails on Erev [[Shabbat]], it’s permissible to cut them on Chol HaMoed Erev [[Shabbat]]. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 30) quoting Bear Hetiev 532:1 </ref>
# It’s permissible for a woman to cut her nails before going to the mikveh. <Ref>Rama 532:1 </ref>

==Laundering clothing==
# It’s forbidden to launder clothing, towels, linens, or tablecloths on Chol HaMoed as the rabbis prohibited this so that people would prepare properly before the holiday. <ref >S”A 534:1, Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 34) </ref>
# It’s also forbidden to launder clothing in a washing machine. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 30) </ref>
# If a child’s clothing are insufficient because they are soiled frequently it’s permissible to launder them on Chol HaMoed. <ref> Mishna Berura 534:11 and Aruch HaShulchan 534:8. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Shulchan Shlomo 534:3 says that this age is until at most 6 or 7 years old. </ref> If one is laundering them in a machine one may wash a full load of children’s clothing but adult’s clothing may not be added. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 32) </ref>
# One may launder guests' sheets and towels on Chol HaMoed. <ref>[http://www.shemayisrael.com/parsha/ostroff/archives/shabbos6_21.htm Weekly Hilchos Shabbos Shemini] quoting Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata (66 note 263)</ref>
# Chazal did not make an exception for someone who was sick and was unable to do laundry before the holiday and forbid him as well. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 534:2, Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 30) </ref>
# Chazal made a few exceptions and permitted certain people to do laudry on Chol HaMoed including a person who was released from prison on the holiday or late on Erev Yom Tov, one who arrives from over seas on Erev Yom Tov and was unable to do laundry all of Erev Yom Tov, and someone who was a mourner for a relative other than a parent, whose seventh day of mourning occurred on Erev Yom Tov which was [[Shabbat]] (and so he was unable to do laundry before the holiday). <ref>S”A 534:1, Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 30) </ref> Those who Chazal permitted to permitted to cut one’s hair should do so in private. <Ref>Rama 534:1 </ref>
# It’s permissible for a women to launder her support hose, nursing bras, and white underwear if she becomes Niddah on Chol HaMoed if she has insufficient to last for the whole holiday. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 32-3) </ref>
# Drying cleaning is also forbidden like laundering. If one’s only suit became so soiled that it’s impossible to worn, some permit it to be dry cleaned, and one should consult a competent rabbinic authority. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 33) </ref>
# If one’s only suit was stained, it’s permitted to remove the stain. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 33) </ref>
# If a garment has a tough stain that won’t be removed if one waits until after the holiday, cleaning is permissible. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 33) </ref>
# Ironing is permissible but pressing by a profession is forbidden. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 33-4) </ref>
# Making pleats in a skirt or pants is forbidden. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 33) </ref>
# There is a dispute whether it’s permissible to polish one’s shoes on Chol HaMoed, while everyone agrees one may brush it off. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 34) </ref>
# It’s permissible to vaacum or wash floors that are usually cleaned at least once a week. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 34) </ref>

==Moving houses==
# For example, it’s forbidden to move homes.<Ref> S”A 535:1 writes that one may not move homes on Chol HaMoed. Mishna Brurah 535:1 explains that it’s forbidden because of the tircha (exertion) involved. S”A writes that it’s only forbidden to move from one courtyard to another, however within the same courtyard it’s permitted. Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 7) writes in name of the Drinsiner Rav that since nowadays people have many possessions and moving always involved exertion it’s forbidden in any manner. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 68:24 (footnote 86) seemingly disagrees with this and yet leaves the leniency of moving within the chetzer out of the halachas probably because nowadays we don’t have groups of houses in small courtyards.</ref>
# Nonetheless, if it’s intolerable to live under present conditions, there’s a loss of money one may certainly move homes. However, if one is moving from a rented house to one that one owns, or from a home which one splits with others to live in one’s own home there’s room to be lenient and preferably one should ask a rabbinic authority. <Ref> S”A 535:1 writes that one may not move homes from one courtyard to another, however, in 535:2 he permits if one is moving from someone else’s home to one’s own home. Mishna Brurah 535:7 explains that moving to one’s own home is permitted because it’s a Simcha for him, yet, it’s not permitted if one is just moving from a ugly or small house to a nicer or bigger one. Shaar Tzion 535:5 writes that the same leniency would be true if one is moving from a joint home to one’s own home. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 68:24 quotes this as halacha. However, Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 7) writes that one shouldn’t move unless there’s more serious needs such as if the living conditions are intolerable or there’s a loss of money. Mishna Brurah 535:7, Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 7), and Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 68:24 write that each case should be judged by a rabbinic authority. </ref>

==Buying and Selling==
# It’s forbidden to buy and sell in any amount on Chol HaMoed because of the exertion involved. <Ref>S”A 539:1 writes that buying or selling in any amount is forbidden on Chol HaMoed. Mishna Brurah 539:1 explains that the reason is exertion. </ref>
==Writing==
# Writing in a professional manner/calligraphy is only permissible if there’s a public need, a loss of money, or a passing mitzvah. <ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 72-73) </ref>
# Writing in a non-professional manner such as regular handwriting is permissible for a need of the holiday, public need, a loss of money, or a passing mitzvah. <ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 73-7) </ref>
# Because of ‘need of the holiday’, it’s permissible to write a shopping list or a social letter. Additionally a child may draw. Some say that one should write on a slant so as to function as a Shinui (change from the norm). <ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 75-6) </ref>
# Because of ‘a loss of money’ it’s permissible to write down a Torah thought (חידוש), take notes in a vocational course, write homework for school, or to write a bank deposit (if one fears losing the money). <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 76-77) </ref>
# Some consider typing on a computer like non-professional writing and so it’s permissible if there’s a ‘need of the holiday’. However, some consider typing like professional writing which is only permissible is there’s a public need, a loss of money, or a passing mitzvah. <ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 78) writes that Rav Moshe Feinstein considers typing to be non-professional writing, while, Rav Yacov Kamentsky and other poskim consider tying professional writing. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata also considers tying to be non-professional writing. </ref>
# Some permit using a camera (since it’s not similar to writing) for a ‘need of the holiday’, while some only permit if there’s a loss (such as if one will miss a rare opportunity to take such a picture). <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 78) quotes Rav Moshe as permitting and Rav Yacov Kamenetsky as forbidding. </ref>
# Some permit using a copy machine (since it’s not similar to writing) for a ‘need of the holiday’, while some only permit in order to prevent a loss. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 79) quotes Rav Moshe as permitting and Rav Yacov Kamenetsky as forbidding. </ref>
# It’s permissible to use a tape recorder on Chol HaMoed. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 79) </ref>

==Going to work on Chol HaMoed==
# If one may loose one’s job or if one can’t explain it to one’s employer and one will loose a promotion then it’s permissible to go to work. Additionally, it’s permissible to work for needs of the public community such as a work for the Shul. <Ref> Rav Schachter on [http://www.ou.org/torah/article/oukosher_pre-pesach_webcast_5771 OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 62 and 64:15 </ref>
# If one will loose one’s usual customers if one doesn’t open one’s store on Chol HaMoed and not just a loss of income then it’s permissible to open one’s store on Chol HaMoed but still one should minimize one’s hours. <Ref> Rav Schachter on [http://www.ou.org/torah/article/oukosher_pre-pesach_webcast_5771 OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 62 and 64:15 </ref>

==Having Simchas==
# It’s forbidden to have a wedding on Chol haMoed because of Ein Maarivin Simcha BeSimcha (one may not mix different Simcha’s). <ref>S”A 546:1 </ref>
# It’s permissible to have a [[Brit Milah]], [[Pidyon HaBen]], or Siyum. <Ref> Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (pg 106-7) </ref>

==Tefillin==

See the full in depth discussion about [[[[Tefillin]] on Chol HaMoed|[[Tefillin]] on Chol HaMoed here]].
# The minhag of some Ashkenazim is to wear [[Tefillin]] on Chol HaMoed, however, the minhag in Israel and minhag of Sephardim is not to wear [[Tefillin]] on Chol HaMoed. <Ref> S”A and Rama 31:2, Sh”t Yabea Omer 3:5(3), Ben Ish Chai Parashat Vayera Halacha 12.
* Some rishonim forbid tefillin to be laid on Hol HaMoed as they consider the days have the same status as a festival which in itself constitutes a "sign" making the laying of tefillin unnecessary. These Rishonim include: Baal Halachot Gedolot (cited by Tosafot Moed Katan 19a D"H Rabbi Yosi), Rambam (Hilchot [[Yom Tov]] 7:13; explained by Kesef Mishna), Rashba (Sh"t HaRashba 1:690), and Ri (cited by the Hagahot Maimoni Hilchot [[Tefillin]] 4:9).
* Other rishonim argue and hold that [[Chol HaMoed]] does not constitute a "sign" in which case tefillin must be laid on Hol HaMoed. These Rishonim include: Rambam, Rosh (Hilchot [[Tefillin]] 16), Or Zarua 1:589, and Maharam of Rothenburg cited by the Mordechai.
* The Bet Yosef writes that the minhag of Sephardim is not to wear [[Tefillin]] on Chol HaMoed based on Kabbalistic sources. This is also the opinion of the Vilna Gaon (Bi'ur ha-Gra Orach Chayim 31:2 s.v. V’yesh Omrim).
* The Tur (Siman 31) quotes some rishonim who are uncertain whether one must lay tefillin on Chol HaMoed and concludes that one should wear [[Tefillin]] without a Bracha. These opinions include the Ritva (Eruvin 96a), Smag (Eruvin 153), Meiri (Moed Katan 18b), and Taz 31:2. The Mishna Berura recommends that on Hol Hamoed one make a mental stipulation before donning tefillin: If I am obligated to don tefillin I intend to fulfill my obligation and if I am not obligated to don tefillin, my doing so should not be considered as fulfilling any obligation; and that the blessing not be recited. The Rama writes that the Ashkenazic custom is to wear [[Tefillin]] with a Bracha which is to be made in an undertone. See further: [[http://www.koltorah.org/ravj/tefillinONmoed.htm]].</ref>Someone who doesn’t have a minhag should not wear [[Tefillin]] on Chol haMoed. <Ref>Sh”t Teshuvot VeHanhagot 2:332 </ref>
# One who wears [[Tefillin]] should stipulate before wearing the [[Tefillin]] that if there’s an obligation then I wish to fulfill that obligation, and if not, I have no intention of fulfilling the mitzvah with my action. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 31:8 </ref>
# If one wears [[Tefillin]] on Chol HaMoed one shouldn’t wear [[Tefillin]] of Rabbenu Tam (even if one usually wears [[Tefillin]] of Rabbenu Tam). <Ref> Mishna Brurah 31:8 </ref>
# Some authorities hold that if some people in the Shul wear [[Tefillin]] and others don’t there’s a violation of Lo Titgodidu (don’t cause factions in observance of Torah) and so they advise that one should either find a shul that has your minhag or pray in different locations in the same shul. <Ref> Kitzur S"A 10:25 writes that there is an issue of Lo titgodedu for some people in the shul to wear [[Tefillin]] on chol hamoed and others not to wear Tefillin. Hilchot Chol HaMoed Zichron Shlomo (in the hebrew section pg 39-40) has a letter from Rav Moshe Feinstein, dated Kislev 5737, stating clearly that one should follow the minhag of the Shul and if the minhag is to wear [[Tefillin]] one should also. However, Rav Moshe Feinstein in Sh”t Igrot Moshe O”C 5:24 (pg 79 D”H Al Kol Panim) dated Kislev 5743, writes that in crowded shuls where there’s many who wear [[Tefillin]] and many who don’t there’s no issue of Lo Tasu Agudot since it’s clear that there’s two different minhagim. However, Rav Moshe adds that preferably someone who is praying in a shul that wears [[Tefillin]] should also wear Tefillin. Sh”t Teshuvot VeHanhagot 2:332 holds that there’s no real issue of Lo Titgodedu but preferably one should be concerned for those who hold that it’s an issue. [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/766048/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_#30_-_Yevamos_-_עשו_ב'ש_כדבריהם,_לא_תתגודדו Rabbi Schachter on yutorah.org (min 36-7)] ruled that it is an issue for some people in one minyan to wear [[Tefillin]] and others not to wear Tefillin, however, two minyanim in one shul may not be an issue.</ref>

==Work through a non-Jew==
# It’s forbidden to instruct a non-Jew to do any activity that’s forbidden for a Jew to do on Chol HaMoed. <Ref>S”A 543:1 </ref>

==Sources==
<references/>

Contemporary Issues

2012-12-17T17:54:24Z

Ydeutscher:

*[[Bracha on Coffee and Tea]]
*[[Bracha on smacks|Bracha on wheat puffs-smacks]]
*[[Bracha on granola bars|Bracha on Granola Bars]]
*[[Drawing or sculpting forbidden images]]
*[[Is our Milk Kosher?]]
*[[Listening to Music]]
*[[Minhag]]
*[[Techelet]]
*[[Writing a secular date]]
*[[Dina D'Malchusa Dina]]

Contemporary Issues

2012-12-17T17:53:43Z

Ydeutscher:

Abiding by Civilian Law

2012-12-17T17:51:44Z

Ydeutscher:

*The Gemorah says Dina D'Malchusa Dina ("the law of the land is the law").<ref>Bava Basra 54b</ref> This means that Halacha demands obedience to the laws made by civil authorities.
==References==
<references/>

Abiding by Civilian Law

2012-12-17T17:50:34Z

Ydeutscher:

*The Gemorah says that Dina D'Malchusa Dina ("the law of the land is the law").<ref>Bava Basra 54b</ref> This means that Halacha demands obedience to the laws made by civil authorities.
==References==
<references/>

Abiding by Civilian Law

2012-12-17T17:49:10Z

Ydeutscher: Created page with "*The Gemorah says that Dina D'Malchuta Dina ("the law of the land is the law").<ref>Bava Basra 54b</ref> This means that Halacha demands obedience to the laws made by civil au..."

*The Gemorah says that Dina D'Malchuta Dina ("the law of the land is the law").<ref>Bava Basra 54b</ref> This means that Halacha demands obedience to the laws made by civil authorities.

Contemporary Issues

2012-12-17T17:42:53Z

Ydeutscher: