Q & A
SEFIRA & SHAVUOS
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SEFIRA
What should I do if they forgot to count Sefirat Ha’Omer at night?
- The 16th century Sefardic Halakhic authority, Rav Yosef Kairo writes that if one forgets
to count Sefirat Ha’Omer at night, then they should count in the morning without a Bracha
(OC 489:7). - He further notes that if one were to forget to count both by night & by day, then they
continue counting each night but they must do so without making a Bracha (OC 489:8). - The Mishna Brura, authored by Rav Yisrael Meir Ha'Kohen Kagan (1839- 1933) explains that in such a situation, one should ideally hear the Bracha from someone else & answer “Amen” with the intention to fulfill the Mitzvah & afterwards count (489:37).
- Rav Moshe Shternbuch writes that a good way of preventing people from missing a whole day is to have someone announce every morning after Shacharit that whoever forgot to count last night should count now without a Bracha (Tshuvot V’hanhagot 1:312)
Could I buy a new item
which requires the Bracha of Shehechiyanu during Sefira?
- The Gemara (Yevamos 62b) records that 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva died between
Passover & Shavuot, the time when we count Sefirah. - In commemoration of this tragedy
numerous customs of mourning are observed for 33 of
the 49 days of sefirah. - There is a commonly known practice to refrain from buying any object which would
require the Bracha of Shehechiyanu, the bracha made when buying a new & expensive
item such as fancy jewelry or a new dress or suit. - However, under further analysis, it seems that many Halachic opinions question
this practice.
1. Rav Ovadya Yosef (Yabiah Omer 3/26) writes that there is no source for such a
custom
2. The Chofetz Chaim in Mishnah Berurah (493/2) explicity rules that one may make the Bracha of Shehechiyanu during Sefirah if the circumstances warrant it.
3. Some have said that the erroneous custom developed out of confusion with the 3 week
time period leading up to Tisha B'av when we commemorate the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash & act like true mourners.
4. In contrast, the time period of Sefirah is one in which we lessen our happiness in remembrance of the monumental loss but we don't act like true mourners.
5. Therefore, there is no reason to accept any additional custom of mourning which is not
explicitly mentioned in Shulchan Aruch or other Halachic works.
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Can I get a haircut during Sifiras Ha'omer?
- It is permitted for a woman to get a haircut during Sifiras Ha'Omer
- The Igros Moshe (Yoreh De'ah 2:137) says it is permitted for women to get a haircut
during Sefira. - The reason for this is that even with regard to avei'lus (mourning) many authorities are
lenient concerning a haircut for women. Although he concludes that it is better to avoid
doing so nevertheless, when there is a concrete need due to particular circumstances, it
is permitted to do so.
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SHAVUOS
If I stay up all night on Shavuos,
may I make the morning brachos when I daven shacharis?
- The brachas of Elokay Ne'shama & Ha'maavir Shayna shouldn't be said if one is up
all night. The same is true for the Birchat Ha'Torah. - However, many authorities allow these brachos to be recited even if you just dozed off
for a very brief period (a minute or two). - Another suggestion offered is that one person should sleep for a brief period & then
recite these brachas out loud for everyone else to listen to them & have it deemed as if
they said it by having listened to the brochas being said. - These matters are discussed in M.B.O.C. 47:28 and in S.T.O.C. 46:12
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Is there a requirement to eat meat at each Yom Tov meal?
- Rambam (Y.T. 6:18) rules that the Mitzvah of Simchat Yom Tov is fulfilled through
consumption of meat & wine. - Beit Yosef (529:2) notes, however, that the Talmud (Pesachim 109a) applies this
only during the time of the Beit HaMikdash, while nowadays wine alone suffices.
- Sha’agat Aryeh (Siman 65), suggests that Simchat Yom Tov is fulfilled by what is
subjectively considered enjoyable by each person.
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Why do people have a custom to eat dairy foods on Shavuot?
- Olelot Efraim (Ma’amar 141) offers that eating dairy on Shavuous parallels the Talmud’s
(Eiruvin 52b) comparison of learning Torah to a baby suckling milk: just as a baby always
finds a new & sweet taste in the milk, so too, the learner should always experience a new
& sweet taste of Torah - Rabbi Moshe Isserles, the Rama, (O”C 494:3) records the well known custom to eat
dairy foods on Shavuot.
1. The Rama suggests that this custom developed to remember rhe unique sacrifice offered
on Shavuot which consisted of two loaves of bread.
2. Thus we begin our Yom Tov meal with one loaf of bread & dairy foods & subsequently
bring out a new loaf of bread to accompany the meat foods.
- The Mishnah Berurah explains a different reason for the custom.
1. He writes that when Moshe came down from Sinai & gave the Jewish people the Torah,
the Jewish people were suddenly confronted with the laws of Kashrut including the
intricate laws of preparing Kosher meat which can often take a great deal of time to prepare.
2. While the necessary & lengthy preparations were underway, Bnai Yisrael consumed milk products which were more readily available
3. Thus we eat dairy foods on Shavuot to remind ourselves of the foods the Jewish people
ate immediately upon receiving the Torah.
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Does one have to eat an entire Milchig meal?
- It is enough to have one dairy food.
- And it is then possible to wash out one's mouth, wash one's hands and clean the table &
have a Fleischig meal (Or Le-Tzion 3:196). - The Steipler Gaon would only have a Milchig meal at night (Orchot Rabbenu vol. 1, p. 98).
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Why is the Book of Ruth read on Shavuos?
- Ruth, a Moabite woman who wished to join the Jewish people, describes the essence of
what it means to be a Jew.
- She accepted Judaism with the simple statement, “Your people shall be my people & your
God my G-d." - Her devotion is considered a model for a Jew’s loyalty to the Torah.
- King David, a descendant of Ruth, was born on Shavuos & he died on Shavuos.
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Shavuos Customs | More About Shavuos
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