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From: rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu (Russell Hendel)
Date: Mon, 5 May 1997 20:53:51 -0400
Subject: Shecheyanu and The Sefirah

Several recent postings [Vol 26n32-36] discuss Shecheyanu on the Sefirah
and cite opinions of the Rav. I actually heard the Rav give a lecture on
this and would like to summarize his opinions so as to help clarify the
situation.

* Originally, we did say Shecheyanu during Sefirah just as we say
Shecheyanu on many other Joyous mitzvoth which have no direct monetary
or personal loss and this is true whether they are Biblical or
Rabbinical: SOme examples are Chanukah, Megillah, Shofar, Lulav etc. Why
shouldn't Omer be included?

* It is NOW established that we have certain elements of mourning in
Sefirah.  The standard explanation is that this is due to Rabbi Akibah's
24000 students who died during this period. A secondary explanation is
the fact that we no longer have a temple and can't offer the sacrifices
(though e.g.  the fact that we can't shake Lulav as they did in the
Temple or that we can't light the Menorah does not stop us from saying
Shecheyanu on Chanukah and Succoth).

* The Rav said he felt a 3rd reason (besides the death of Rabbi Akibah's
students and the absence of sacrifices) was of primary significance in
the mourning during the Sefirah: The Rav explained that many of the
atrocities of the Crusades happened around the time of the Omer (since
some crusades happened during the summer).  The Rav elaborated on this
by pointing out 3 things that the crusades lead to:

	- The Rav said he personally examined prayer books and found
that JOY & HAPPINESS (SASON/SIMCHA) was initially in the High Holy day
prayer but was deleted around the time of the crusades

	- Similarly the practice of saying "Kadish Yasom"---Kadish for
one's deceased parents originated during the time of the crusades
(because of the great number of orphans created)

	- Finally, the Rav suggested that Shecheyanu was deleted from
the Sefirah blessings and some of the mourning customs were intensified
because of the crusades.

I hope this adds some non standard insights into this topic

Russell Jay Hendel; rhendel @ mcs drexel edu