How Does One Count?

1, 2, 3,… or

2, 4, 6, …

Stop! The Question was, "With what formula does one count Sefira?"

OK! The chemical formula for table salt, an important ingredient in Jewish cooking, is NaCl, or Sodium Chloride.

Seriously, the formula for counting each of the forty-nine nights of Sefirat HaOmer is given by the Transliterated (Alef Bet to English Alphabet) and Translated Sefirat HaOmer Counting Chart, (what a mouthful!) derived from The Seif Edition of the Transliterated Siddur (Weekday Version).

Is there a "bracha," or blessing, made in connection with the Counting of the Omer?

Vas far a qvestion! There's a blessing for everything in Judaism. In fact something is said - a bracha, before the counting and something said - a (short) prayer, after the counting, as follows:

Before, The blessing:

"Blessed are You, Hashem, our G-d, King of the Universe,"

"asher kiddeshanu b'mitzvotav,"

"Who sanctified us with His commandments,"

"And Commanded us regarding the Counting of the Omer."

Afterwards, the prayer:

"HaRachaman hu Yachazir Lanu"

"O Compassionate One! May He return for us"

"the Service of the Temple to its Place"

"speedily and in our time. Amen; Selah.

In the above prayer, we give expression to our desire for the Return of the Temple Service, which will be a hallmark of the Time of the Mashiach.

Various customs exist which include additional prayers before and after the counting.