This Sefiras Haomer sugya focuses on the applicable Halachos if one misses counting a day of Sefira, and the various methods to rectify this lapse. To fully comprehend these Halachos, we must first understand the source that obligates us to count every day.

Besides for the chiyuv to count the Omer, there is also a stipulation that the count must be complete. This seems to be learned from the words: Sheva Shabossos “Temimos” - seven “whole” weeks.  According to this definition, if one misses one day of counting, then his count cannot be considered as a single complete unit of days.

 However, there are other ways to define the word “Temimos”, which affect the Halachic application if one forgets to count. This Sugya explores these differences in depth.

Some questions addressed:

• ·         Is the mitzvah of Sefiras Haomer 49 separate daily Mitzvos, or is it one Mitzvah that is fulfilled over the span of 49 days?
• ·         Do the seven weeks need to be 100% complete -i.e., what if one missed counting the first night and began counting the next morning, missing those first hours of the count – would his Sefira still be considered “Temimos”?
• ·         Should one count as soon as it turns night (or maybe even Bein Hash’moshos) to be sure that each day is complete?
• ·         If the counting of the Omer is one 49-day-long Mitzvah, why do we make a new Bracha every night?
• ·         Common practice today is that if one forgets to count at night, he can count during the day (without a Bracha), and then continue to count the remaining days with a Bracha.  What is the reasoning behind this practice?