Eating Before Counting Sefira

Shulchan Aruch writes that one may not begin a meal until one counts Sefiras HaOmer. When does this prohibition begin?

Mishna Berura (489:23) writes that beginning 30 minutes before Tzeis Hakochavim (nightfall), one may not begin a meal until counting sefira, even if they have already davened ma’ariv. One who considers nightfall to begin 50 minutes after sunset must not begin a meal once it is 20 minutes after sunset. However, if one started the meal before this time, they may continue eating. If one wishes to begin a meal during this time, they can appoint a guardian to remind them. However, the guardian must be someone who is not involved in the meal, or else he too might be distracted.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.