Pisqa’ 136¹

1

“Seven weeks shall you count for yourselves” (Dt.16:9)—

the days are counted off by the Court

[acting as proxy for the community].

On what basis do we know that

each individual [also counts off the days for himself]?

The Teaching states:

“Seven weeks shall you count for yourselves” (Dt.16:9)—

[yourselves implies that each one keeps his own count].²

2

“When the sickle initiates the standing grain” (Dt.16:9)—

that is, when you begin applying the sickle to the standing grain,

it should all be standing;

and it should be the first of the entire harvest;

and its harvesting should only be with a sickle.³

 

Is it possible to say that

he shall harvest it

and count the days whenever he wants?

The Teaching states:

“From the day that you bring it” (Lv.23:15)–

[the days must be counted in sequence].

 

Is it possible to say that

he should harvest by day,

and count by day,

and bring it [to the presiding Priest] by day?

The Teaching states:

“There shall be seven complete weeks” (Lv.23:15).

When are they deemed complete?

When you start counting the days from the evening.

 

Is it possible to say that

he should harvest by night,

and count by night,

and bring it by night?

The Teaching states:

“From the day that you bring it” (Lv.23:15)—

this bringing must occur by day.

Well, how so?

The harvesting and the counting should be by night,

But the bringing should be by the very next day.⁴

1. H:178; JN1: 328-329.
2. //Sifra, ‘emor, per 12:1.
3. Cf. Sifra, ‘emor, par. 10:3.
4. =Sifra, ‘emor, per.12:6