Q. A very ill patient who the doctors say could go into coma soon and is not expected to remain alive more than a week; can he still count sefira with a bracha?
A. Poskim rule that he can count even if it is likely that he may chas vesholom not be alive at the end of the sefira since he did as much as he was able to do in his condition. (Yad Yitzchok 2: 48: 2, Betzel Hachochmo 5: 45) Others add that it is not in the hands of the physicians to determine the end of a human life; that is only Hashem’s prerogative. Moreover, not counting with a brocho anymore may have a detrimental effect on his morale and will to live. That may indeed shorten his life. (Mekadesh Yisroel – Sefira 28).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a.
Important Numbers
