How will we reconcile the current Pasuk "Shiv'ah Shavu'os Tispar lach" with the Pasuk in Emor, 23:16 "Tisp'ru Chamishim Yom"?
R. Bachye (citing 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 R. Bachye who cites the Machlokes between the Ba'al ha'Ma'or and the Ibn Ezra as to whether the Mitzvah to count weeks applies only at the end of each seek, or every day. See also 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"?
R. Bachye #1: Because it is the way of the Torah to sometimes present a Mitzvah in the singular after presenting it in the plural
1
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). 3
R. Bachye: Like it did in connection wih the Mitzvah of Tzitzis. See Vayikra 23:16 & Bamidbar 15:38.
See R. Bachye who elaborates.
See Torah Temimah, note 39, who elaborates
What is a Chermesh?
Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: It means ?when one begins to put the sickle to the standing corn'.
What is the significance of "me'Hachel Chermesh ba'Kamah"? What is it referring to?
Having written "me'Hachel Chermesh ba'Kama", why does the Torah need to add "mi'Yom Havi'achem ? "?
Menachos, 66a: To teach us that the Omer should be brought on the same day that one counta the Omer - and not any time afterwards. 1
Why does the Torah insert the word "be'Kamah"?
R. Bachye (citing Chazal) 1 and Hadar Zekenim: We read "ba'Kamah" like 'be'Komah', to teach us that cutting the corn and counting the Omer must be performed standing. 2 3
Menachos, 71a: "ba'Kamah" teaches us that the Omer should be brought from corn that is still standing, 4 and not that has already been cut.
Sifri: "ba'Kamah" teaches us that the Omer is cut from corn that is all standing - in other words, it is the first of the barley-harvest to be cut.
See R. Chavel's footnotes, note 18.
Hadar Zekenim: Therefore, we also recite the B'rachah over Sefiras ha'Omer standing.
R. Bachye: This applies to the Mitzvos of Omer, Tzitzis, Milah and Lulav -?Si'man ?A.TZ.Ma.L'. See R. Chavel's footnotes for more details. See also Rosh on Vayikra 23:16) who elaborates.
See Torah Temimah, note 41.
What is the second half of the Pasuk "me'Hachel Chermesh ba'Kamah Tachel Lispor "coming to teach us?
R. Bachye (citing Menachos, 66a): In conjunction with the Pasuk "Sheva Shabbasos Temimos Tih'yenah" (Vayikra 23:15) - it teaches us that the reaping of the Omer and the counting are performed on the night of the sixteenth of Nisan, and the Omer is brought in the day. 1
Seforno: It teaches us that one counts seven weeks from the ?Aviv' - the time the barley ripens - until theb ?Katzir' - the wheat harvest falls due.
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 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.
