COUNTING THE OMER WHEN MOSHIACH COMES

When Moshiach comes, this mitzvah will regain its Biblical status. If so, one may reason, in comparison to its Biblical requirement it is as if we missed counting the Omer. Accordingly, one would not be allowed to continue counting with a Bracha.

Dear Reader sh’yichyeh,

We are currently in the time that is between the holidays of Pesach and Shavuos. Every night we have the opportunity to perform the Mitzva of counting S’firas HaOmer. We do this special Mitzva to show that we are eagerly anticipating the receiving of the Torah from Hashem on Shavuos.

One of the main laws of S’firas HaOmer is that one may not miss any day of the counting. If one misses even a single day, he may not continue counting the S’fira with a Bracha.

Every Jew eagerly awaits and anticipates the arrival and revelation of Moshiach. We believe that Moshiach will be coming tonight! In light of this, let us deal with a special halachic question:

When Moshiach comes today, will we continue counting S’fira with a Bracha?

To explain the question: According to Halacha, there is no Biblical requirement to count the Omer in the time of exile. The Sages instituted a law, telling us to continue counting even in exile. When Moshiach comes, this mitzvah will regain its Biblical status. If so, one may reason, in comparison to its Biblical requirement it is as if we missed counting the Omer. Accordingly, one would not be allowed to continue counting with a Bracha.

The Rebbe (Likkutei Sichos Vol. 1 pg. 272) addresses this question and rules (see Minchas Chinuch, Mitzva 306) that we will continue counting with a Bracha. His reasoning is as follows: While we may not be doing the Biblical commandment of S’firas HaOmer in the times of exile, we are counting the Omer daily. The very fact that we are counting will allow us to continue counting with a Bracha.

The Rebbe (Tazria-Metzora 5751) also asked: Since we’ve already completed “our actions and service throughout the duration of exile” – what is the “straightforward path” (the easiest and fastest among all the paths of Torah) that all the Jewish people, who have concluded their service, should choose to realize the revelation and coming of Moshiach?

The Rebbe teaches us that increasing in learning the Torah about Moshiach and Redemption (“Malchus Sh’b’Tiferes”) is the “straightforward path” to actually cause the revelation and coming of Moshiach and Redemption.

The Rebbe also said, “My intention here is action – and certainly the following will be publicized everywhere:

“In order to realize the immediate revelation and coming of Moshiach – each and every Jew (the men, whether they are dwellers in the tent (Yisachar) or men of business (Z’vulun), and the women and children, each one according to his ability) should increase their learning of Torah, particularly the subjects of Moshiach and Redemption.

“It would be even better if they would learn [in public] with ten others because in addition to the advantage that since “ten who sit and occupy themselves with Torah, the Divine Presence dwells among them,” there is a particular advantage when learning about Moshiach and the Redemption in public. Such public learning affects the excitement and the heart-felt joy through which comes an increasing desire and anticipation for the coming of Moshiach.”

Rabbi Avtzon is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati and a well sought after speaker and lecturer. Recordings of his in-depth shiurim on Inyanei Geula u’Moshiach can be accessed at http://www.ylcrecording.com.