How will we reconcile the current Pasuk "Shiv'ah Shavu'os Tispar lach" with the Pasuk in Emor, 23:16 "Tisp'ru Chamishim Yom"?
Chagigah, 17b: The combination of the two Pesukim teaches us that it is a Mitzvah to count the days and a Mitzvah to count the weeks. 1
See Torah Temimah, note 38.
Why does the Torah write "Tispar lach" (singular) and not 'Tisp'ru lachem' like it did in Emor "Tisp'ru Chamishim Yom"?
Sifri: To teach us that the seven weeks begin on the day after Yom-Tov - which is fixed by the Beis'Din, and not the day after Shabbos (like the Tzedokim maintained). 1
See Torah Temimah, note 39, who elaborates
What is a Chermesh?
Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: A sickle.
What is the significance of "me'Hachel Chermesh ba'Kamah"? What is it referring to?
Rashi, Ramban #1, Rashbam, Seforno, Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: It refers specifically to the cutting of the Omer, which is the first harvest of grain 1 that takes place (and which permits the new grain to be eaten).
Ramban #2: It teaches us that the Omer must be cut with a sickle (and not picked by hand).
Hadar Zekenim: We read "be'Kamah" like 'be'Komah', to teach us that everything regarding the Omer is done standing. Therefore, we also recite the B'rachah over Sefiras ha'Omer standing. 2
Menachos, 71a: "be'Kamah" teaches us that the Omer should be brought from corn that is still standing, 3 and not that has already been cut.
Sifri: "ba'Kamah" teaches us that the Omer is cut from corn that is all standing - that it is the first of the barley-harvest to be cut.
Seforno: Of barley - which ripens then - See Sh'mos 9:21 - whereas the wheat harvest takes place at Shavu'os-time.
Rosh (Vayikra 23:16): And the same applies to the B'rachah over Tzitzis and Lulav, which we learn via a Gezeirah Shavah; "Lachem" "Lachem" - in connection with all of these. Ashkenazim recite a B'rachah on [almost] all Mitzvos standing (Mishnah B'rurah 8:2).
See Torah Temimah, note 41.
What is the second half of the Pasuk "me'Hachel Chermesh ba'Kamah Tachel Lispor ... "coming to teach us?
Menachos, 66a: It teaches us that the time to count the Omer is after the Omer has been cut - the night following the first day of Pesach - and not at any time - even after the Omer has been brought. 1
See Torah Temimah, citing Menachos Ibid. and note 40.
Why is it neessary to count the weeks until Shavu'os?
Seifer ha'Chinuch: To show one's excitement at the forthcoming Matan Torah - just like one counts the days towards a happy event that is spproaching.
Tur (al ha'Torah): Because, since, during the weeks following Pesach, people are busy harvesting their crops up until Shavu'os, and are likely to forget the date of Shavu'os.
