Delivered at the pre-Shavuos program in Congregation Ohr Torah, Silver Spring, MD.

Delivered at pre-Shavuos program at Congregation Ohr Torah, Silver Spring, MD.

Why is the first day of Pesach not included in the count of the Omer? How is the first day of Pesach different from the rest of the holiday and from Sefirat HaOmer?

According to Chazal, Charvona is Eliyahu which is why we say חרבונה זכור לטוב, as the Gemara always appends to Eliyahu’s name. What does the phrase זכור לטוב mean? (It doesn’t mean זכרונו לברכה since Eliyahu didn’t die).

Haman and Achashveirosh’s plot to supplant Yerushalayim