From the Rav’s Desk: Forgot to say sefira by night

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  1. Question: [Monday, 7th Iyar 5781]

I [a man] forgot to count Sefira one day and would like to know if I must be careful to still continue counting without a blessing, or if I don’t have to be so careful anymore to count. Likewise, although I know I can no longer recite a blessing may I still say the prayers of that come afterwards, such as the Harchaman, Ana Beckoach, Ribono Shel Olam. Also, if I forgot to count at night and I am counting during the day may I say these prayers?

Answer:

Yes, men remain absolutely obligated to continue counting Sefira each night even if they missed a day and therefore can no longer say it with a blessing. One may, and should, still recite all the prayers that follow the count just like any other person who counts with a blessing, as one is not related to the other. This applies also when counting during daytime.

Explanation: Although we rule the one who missed a day can no longer continue counting with a blessing this is because there is a debate regarding if one can still fulfill the mitzvah if he missed a day, and we always apply the rule of Safek Brachos Lihakel. On the other hand, one must also be stringent to take into account the opinion who says that one may and must continue to count with a blessing even if he missed a day, and thereby men remain obligated to count without a blessing in order to be stringent like both opinions. Regarding the prayers said after the counting, there is no reason to differentiate between one who is still counting with a blessing versus one who is counting without a blessing, and whether one is counting during the night or day, and either way it is proper to say these prayers as is always the case.

Sources: See Admur 489:3; Siddur Admur; Michaber 489:7; Tosafus Megillah 20b; Menachos 66a; Rosh Pesachim 10:41

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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