#5875 – Listen to Why Hearing is Not Really Listening!
Rabbi Shlit”a.
Thanks for your constant help. If someone is listening to a daily Shiur online, and these days at the end of the shiur, they count the sefira of the day, does one comply by just listening? What if one just repeats the words also? Is that a better option since the mitzva is done by a greater group?
As we have mentioned on other Teshuvos, one can not comply with Sefirat Haomer by just listening as we do in other mitzvos, following the principle of “Shomea Keone,” or one that listens with the proper intention is considered as saying it himself. Some base this on the expression used by the Torah on this mitzva: “Usfartem Lochem,” you must count for yourself.
However, as in other mitzvos, it is indeed better to comply “Berov Am,” or with the presence of many together, as we say (Proverbs 14: 28) "In the multitude of people is the King’s glory and honour”.
So that is an advantage to that kind of counting Sefira.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
Answered by: Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Published: April 24, 2026