Sefirat Haomer

Before counting the omer, one recites the following berakha: “Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His mitzvot and commanded us concerning the counting of the omer” Both the berakha and the count are optimally recited while standing, but if one recited them while seated, he has nonetheless fulfilled his obligation .

By counting the omer, we draw a line that ascends continuously from Pesaĥ to Shavu’ot. The festival of Pesaĥ represents Israel’s national aspect: the Exodus revealed Israel’s uniqueness, in that God chose us from among all the other nations despite the fact that we were mired in 49 levels of impurity.

Starting from the night of the omer harvest, there is a mitzva to count 49 days, which are seven weeks. This is known as sefirat ha-omer, counting the omer.

I am not consistent about saying “Hineni Muchan U’mezuman” before Sefirat Ha’Omer. Should I decide one way or the other, and which way is better?

We are now in the middle of the counting of the Omer, I have always been somewhat perplexed by the general explanation, that this count is meant to represent the longing of the Jewish people and their preparation for the acceptance of the Torah on Mount Sinai after their freedom from the bondage of Egypt.

Is it permitted to listen to music during Sefirat Ha'omer? An elderly person is very lonely due to the social distancing restrictions and music may lift his spirits and help in alleviating some of the loneliness.