Counting with a Minyan-Counting before Maariv

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May one count before Maariv?[1]

It is permitted to count the Sefira before Maariv [after nightfall]. This applies even on Motzei Shabbos, when one extends the Shabbos into the night [until Maariv].[2] Nevertheless it is proper to precede the Davening of Maariv to the counting of the Omer.[3]

 

Is it proper to count the Omer together with a Minyan?[4]

Yes. It is proper to count the Sefira together with the Minyan. [Thus one should not leave the Minyan for Maariv until after Sefira.]

 

If the Minyan is holding by Sefira and one has not yet begun Maariv is he to recite Sefira with the Tzibur?

Some Poskim[5] rule that one is to count Sefira together with the Minyan and then Daven Maariv, in the event that he will not be Davening with another Minyan.[6] 

 

[1] 489/16

[2] Admur ibid; M”A 489/7

The reason: As nevertheless it is already night and is not considered the previous day but rather the next day. [Admur ibid]

[3] Admur ibid; Chok Yaakov 489/16

The reason: As Maariv is Tadir [i.e. common] while the counting of the Omer is only on occasion, and the rule follows that a more common Mitzvah receives precedence over a less common Mitzvah. [Admur ibid]

[4] Shelah brought in Chok Yaakov 489/16 “Sefira with a Minyan”; Siddur Yaavetz “Sefira with Rov Am”; Minchas Yitzchak 9/56

[5] Minchas Yitzchak 9/56

[6] The reason: As it is proper to count the Omer with a Minyan [Poskim ibid] and one should not separate from the Tzibur. [ibid]

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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