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In Temple times, on the night of the 16th of Nissan (right after the first day of Passover), barley was cut for the omer offering the following day. (As we said above in 24:2, it was only permitted to eat from the new crop after this sacrifice was brought.) Starting that night, and continuing for the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot, there was a mitzva to count the days. At the end of seven weeks, on the fiftieth day, they celebrated Shavuot. Nowadays, we still do the count to commemorate the Temple. This is Sefirat Ha-omer (counting the omer), and the seven weeks are referred to as the omer period.
Before counting the omer, we recite the following blessing: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His mitzvot and commanded us about counting the omer.” The count itself mentions days and weeks. For example, on the tenth day we say: “Today is day ten, making one week and three days of the omer.” The formulations for all 49 days can be found in any standard prayerbook at the end of the evening prayer.
Women are not obligated to count the omer, but those who choose to do so fulfill a mitzva.
One who forgot to count at night should count the next day, but without the blessing. From then on, they continue counting nightly with the blessing. One who forgot to count at night and did not remember the following day, should continue counting nightly, but no longer with the blessing. Someone who converts to Judaism in the middle of the omer period should count without the blessing.
