On Menachos 65b, Rav Yehuda ben Besairah brings a proof that just like the second word "Shabbos" ("Ad Mimochoras Hashabos Hash'viis") is the conclusion of the 7th week and immediately precedes Shavuos, likewise the first "Shabbos" (U'sfartem Lachem Mimochoros Hashabos") also immediately precedes the bringing of the Minchas HaOmer. However, according to the Baysusim themselves, don't both words "Shabbos" refer to Shabbos Breishis, and therefore according to what the Baysusim believe, the posuk is consistent in that both Shavuos and the Minchas HaOmer immediately follow Shabbos Breishis. How is this a proof against the Baysusim?
Aharon Levine, Baltimore, Maryland USA
A similar question is raised by the Chidushim ha'Meyuchasim liha'Rashba on Rebbi Yosi b'Rebbi Yehuda's Derasha. What is wrong with the Baytusim saying that of course they count fifty days, with the counting always starting from the end of Shabbos Bereishis? The Yad Binyamin (65b) explains the Rashba's answer. Rebbi Yosi is actually relying on logic. He is confronting the Baytusim by asking, why do you think the Torah stated to start counting from the day after Shabbos which falls on Pesach and not other Shabbosim? Obviously the point is the Kedushah of Pesach! It therefore makes sense that when the Torah states "mi'Mochoras ha'Shabbos" it is not singling out Shabbos but rather the Yom Tov of Pesach, from which we should count fifty days. It seems to me that this same question and answer could be applied to Rebbi Yehuda Ben Beseira's answer as well.
All the best,
Yaakov Montrose