We have seen that there is a machlokes if sefira today is min hatorah or midrabanan. Another interesting difference between these opinions may be if Moshiach comes between Pesach and Shavous, during the days of sefira. Would the shtei halechem be brought on Shavuos?
The basis for this question is the sefer Kol Eliyahu, who discusses whether bringing the shtei halechem on Shavuos is dependent on sefiras ha’omer. Reading the pesukim in the Torah would sound like the shtei halechem is the culmination of a process that begins with counting of the omer on the 2nd day of Pesach. If so, if the beginning is missing, it is possible that there will be no shtei halechem, either. Even if we are counting today, since from a Scriptural perspective, we are not performing the mitzvah, we may not be able to bring the shtei halechem on Shavuos.
That being the case, if Moshiach comes during sefira, whether the shtei halechem would be brought, should depend if our sefira is min hatorah or midrabanan. If sefira today is still min hatorah, the shtei halechem can be brought. But, if sefira today is only midrabanan, then it is possible that the shtei halechem would not be brought.
The Beis Yitzchok, however, takes issue with this notion and maintains that each korban stands on its own and therefore the shtei halechem can be brought even if the korban omer was not brought and sefira was not counted. The Darchei Teshuvah adds that even if the shtei halechem depends on counting sefira, as long as we counted some days, even if we started in the middle, it would be enough to allow bringing the shtei halechem. His son, the Minchas Elazar adds that as long as we counted – even if it was only midrabanan – those days will connect to the days that are counted afterwards, and the shtei halechem can be brought.
Based on this analysis, the Minchas Elazar explains why a boy who becomes bar mitzvah during sefira can continue to count with a brocha. Although he started counting as a koton, which is a mitzvah midrabanan, those days will connect to the days that he will count afterwards, and he can continue to count with a brocha.
Thus, according to the Kol Eliyahu, if our sefira is midrabanan, we may not be able to bring the shtei halechem on Shavuos. But according to the Beis Yitzchak and the Darkei Teshuvah, even if our sefira is not min hatorah, the shtei halechem can still be brought.
Halachically Speaking
The Mishnah Berurah writes that we follow the majority opinion that sefira today is not min hatorah. But, he adds, since there are also many rishonim who pasken that it is still min hatorah, even without the korban omer, one should try to be concerned with their opinion, as well.
Summary
There is a machlokes if sefira today is min hatorah or midrabanan. Some of the differences we discussed are: counting during bein hashmashos (twilight), saying “likayeim mitzvas asei, kimo shekasuv batorah,” having the proper kavanah to fulfill the mitzvah, if bentching should be recited before sefira, and if we will bring the shtei halechem if Moshiach comes during sefira.
by Rabbi Nachum Scheiner, Night Kollel & Morning Kollel
