Q. I was falling asleep two nights ago and in the last minute, I remembered that I didn't count sefira yet. I was so tired that I counted right there, and fell asleep. Next night I remembered what happened and I'm sure that I counted, but I can't remember if I actually said the words or I just thought about them but didn't verbalize the counting with my lips. Can I continue counting with a bracha?
A. Poskim rule that the counting of the Omer requires, like other mitzvos based on reciting words, the movement of the lips and at least a quiet verbal expression, that the one reciting can hear; just thoughts are not enough. (P’ri Chadah 489: 6, Birkey Yosef ibid. 12, R.A Eiger 29, Chassam Sofer 6: 19)
However, since the principle involved, namely “Hirhur Kedibur” or thoughts count as words, is in dispute and some maintain that it does matter, this creates enough of a doubt to allow counting the rest of the nights with a brocho. This constitutes a:”S’fek S’feka” or double doubt, because losing the brocho when missing a day is also an issue under dispute. The above applies only when at falling asleep you still had enough presence of mind and intent to comply with the mitzva of counting (Agura Beoholecho 1: 24, Nitei Gavriel – Pesach 3: 33: 4)
You may add another sofek or doubt in your case, since you are also uncertain how you counted, and you may have actually verbalized properly the counting.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that any sofek suffices for continuing counting with a brocho.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
Important Numbers
