Prohibitions of Sefira #1

Last week we began our discussion of Sefiras Haomer with a brief summary of when and for how long is one required to perform and display signs of sadness of mourning. This week I would like to discuss what exactly is forbidden to do. The two most ancient, recorded and accepted customs are to refrain from getting married and taking a shave/haircut. Sources for both these customs date back close to 1000 years (the Gaonim and earlier Rishonim) and have been accepted by Klal Yisroel as a binding minhag. Since we mentioned last week that Ashkenazim can choose which 33 days of "mourning" to keep, the prohibition of marriage (assuming one plans to only have 1 wife) is limited to the 19 days between Rosh Chodesh Iyar and Lag Ba'Omer. For if one wants they can observe the first 33 days and thus marriage is allowed after Lag Ba'Omer or they may choose the last 33 days and marriage would be allowed prior to Rosh Chodesh Iyar. Rav Baruch Simon, Rosh Yeshiva of YU, once told me that even if you are holding the first 33 days and you get invited to a wedding by a couple holding the last 33 days, you are permitted to attend and dance. (More on music and dancing next week). In regards to shaving/haircuts most Rabbis rule that it is forbidden to shave for anything during the 33 days you have selected (the one potential exception is when Rosh Choesh Iyar falls on Shabbas- which didn't happen this year). However, some Rabbis feel that one is allowed to shave on Friday for Shabbas. They base there opinion on the fact that shaving for Shabbas is a mitzvah (Kavod Shabbas) and one is not allowed to introduce a minhag that will negate the performance of a mitzvah. It is worth noting that those who allow shaving for Shabbas do so not as a leniency, (drum roll please) but rather out of a stringent outlook on the requirement of Kevod Shabbas. While this may seem compelling, the mainstream Rabbis (including Rav Moshe Feinstein), that prohibit shaving even for Shabbas, contend that if chas v'shalom one is an Avel on Eruv Shabbas the ruling is clear that he is not allowed to shave, so too by the mourning of Sefira one is prohibited to shave. It should go without saying that an individual who does not regularly shave before Shabbas, would be prohibited to shave on Erev Shabbas of Sefira. [Hashkafic Point not for the EZ Queasy: To those that contend that maintaining a scraggly, unkempt beard does not look professional and thus inappropriate for work- I ask you to please pay a visit to the Muslim/ Hindu/ Hippie in the cubicle next to you and see if they look professional in their dress and attire? Sadly, sometimes we, Jews, are anti-Semitic also. We are so worried about what others will think of us, we never think to ask "If I am comfortable with Muhammad, in the cube next to me, wearing a turban, why should I worry that Muhammad will think less of me if I wear a Kippah"? We live in a culture that, thank G-d, grants us the freedom to practice religion and the American workplace prides itself on a code of cultural and religious tolerance. Other religions aren't afraid to show there uniqueness- why are we?] Next week we will discuss the remaining prohibitions during Sefira (if you have any questions in the meantime thehalachaboy@gmail.com is ready and prepared). Editor's Note: Someone please e-mail halachaboy he's getting lonely in party cubicle.