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From: rhendel@king.mcs.drexel.edu (Russell Hendel)
Date: Mon, 13 May 1996 12:41:38 -0400
Subject: hecheyanu on Sefirah

I am responding to [Sukenic, V23#70] regarding lack of shechiyanu on the
counting of the sefirah.  I heard the following thought from the Rav,
Rabbi Joseph B Soloveitchick.

The Rav noted that the primary source of mourning on Sefirah is
attributed to the death of Rabbi Akibah's students.  However, said the
Rav, many of the crusades started around the summer months and their
were large casualties in the Jewish community. The Rav suggested that
these large casualties are responsible for three responses (that are
expressions of grief or mourning)
    Saying Kadish Yathom originated from the crusades
    Cancelling of "lesason vesimcha" in the Rosh Hashana Shmoneh Esray (even
       though it occurs on other Yom Tov shmoneh esrays...The rav said he
       had personally seen Machzorim before and after the crusade period and
       this difference was blatant)
    Heighthened mourning during Sefirah.

Since the crusades happened in the summer the presummer (Shavuoth) and
post summer months (Rosh Hashana) were affected.  The Rav also said that
when people seek hetayrim to do things during the sefirah they are very
often insensitive to this source of mourning and were there a heightened
awareness perhaps people would be less anxious to find heterim (he did
not single any one practice in particular)

Although the Rav did not connect the crusades with not saying shecheyanu
it appears to me that such a connection may give an added insight.
Needless to say if Siddurim with changed texts could be found then this
would be a primary reason.

Russell Jay Hendel, Ph.d. ASA, rhendel @ mcs . drexel . edu