Unsure Whether I Counted the Correct Day the Night Before May 1 — May I Continue Counting With a Blessing?

Question

While counting the Omer tonight, it suddenly occurred to me that I may have counted the wrong number last night. I do not remember having verbally stated last night’s count at all. I do remember clearly counting two nights ago, including the correct week and day. Last night, I did count during the evening prayers with the congregation, but I do not recall explicitly saying the number myself. Now, more than twenty‑four hours have passed, and I am unsure whether I counted last night correctly or at all. May I continue counting the Omer on subsequent nights with a blessing?

Answer

Yes. You may continue counting all future nights of the Omer with a blessing.

Explanation

If a person definitively knows that on a particular night he counted the wrong number, or failed to count entirely, that night is considered as if he did not count at all. In such a case, once the mistake is discovered the following day, he should continue counting from that point onward without a blessing, or preferably hear the blessing from someone else and then count himself. However, that is not the situation here. In this case, there is no certainty that the count was missed or incorrect. Rather, the individual is merely suspecting—after more than twenty‑four hours—that perhaps he counted incorrectly or did not verbalize the count. This is a case of * ספק * (doubt), not certainty. Halachically, such a doubt is considered a Safek Sfeka, since:

• It is entirely possible that he did count correctly. Even if he does not remember saying the number, he may have done so.
• There are halachic opinions who rule that one may continue to count with a blessing even if he for crtain missed a previous nights count.

Because it is a Sfek Sfeka, we follow the principle of Sfek Sfeka Lehachmir to continue counting the Omer on all future nights with a blessing.

Sources:

Admur 489:24-25; Michaber 489:8; Terumos Hadeshen 37; Levush 489:8; Olas Shabbos 489:8; Chok Yosef 489:24; Mateh Yosef; Birkeiy Yosef 489:17; Nehar Shalom; Mamar Mordechai 489:9; Shalmei Tzibur 297:26; Zechor Leavraham 489:70; Chayeh Adam 121:2; Beis Oved 18; M”B 489:34; Kaf Hachaim 489:80

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that even by Sfek Sfeka we say Lihakel. [Lechem Chamudos Tzitzis 1; Mateh Efraim 619:7; Kitzur SHU”A 131:17; P”M Yoreh Deah 18 M”Z 16; Birkeiy Yosef 7:3; See Kaf Hachaim 17:7; and so is the final ruling of Admur in His Siddur as brought in Ketzos Hashulchan 7 footnote 3; Piskeiy Hassidur 42; Toras Menachem 5719 pages 230-233; See Peri Chadash 489:7-8 who is stringent regarding the case of one who counted by day, although is lenient in this case regarding the Sfek Sfeka if one counted by night. It seems clear that the Peri Chadash accepts Safek Sfeika Brachos Lihachmir at least in this case.] According to their opinion, in such a case it would end up that, one is to count the future nights without a blessing. See however Igros Kodesh 18:339 who concludes “Although one can challenge this ruling based on the many Poskim who rule Sfek Sfeika Lihakel, nevertheless, we will not swerve from the clear ruling in Shulchan Aruch simply due to a question.”

Tzaruch Iyun from Siddur: In the Siddur there are scenarios of Safek Sfeka in which Admur rules stringently that a blessing may not be said, despite the Safek Sfeka. [See Siddur regarding saying a blessing on a Tallis during Bein Hashmashos] In Toras Menachem 5719 pages 230-233 the Rebbe states based on this ruling that according to Admur in the Siddur we apply the rule of Safek Brachos Lihakel even by a Sfek Sfeka, and so writes Ketzos Hashulchan 7 footnote 3. Thus, the question is asked regarding if the final ruling in this case should also change, and based on the Siddur one should rule that a blessing should not to be said? One cannot answer that which was said previously, that there is a difference between a Safek Sfeka which makes the same claim and a Safek Sfeka that makes two different claims, as in the case of the Siddur there are two different claims, perhaps the Mitzvah of Tzitzis applies at night, and even if it doesn’t perhaps it is not yet night. Vetzaruch Iyun! See Igros Kodesh 18:339 who concludes “Although one can challenge this ruling based on the many Poskim who rule Sfek Sfeika Lihakel, nevertheless, we will not swerve from the clear ruling in Shulchan Aruch simply due to a question.”