When Do We Begin Counting The Omer This Year?

RAM Q&A is a regular WireNews column addressing questions on Torah, ethics, faith, culture, and the practical challenges of modern life.

Question: On which day, this year, to we begin counting The Omer?

RAM: The counting of the Omer begins on the night of טז ניסן (Tet-Zayin Nissan — the 16th of Nissan).

In 2026, the first count of the Omer will be made on the evening of Thursday, 2 April 2026, after nightfall. That evening begins טז ניסן, and we recite the blessing and count Day One of the Omer.

Explanation: The Torah commands that the counting begin “from the morrow of the festival”, meaning the day after the first day of פסח (Pesach — the Festival of Unleavened Bread). This corresponds to the evening beginning the 16th of Nissan, when the counting toward שבועות (Shavuot — the Festival of Weeks) begins.

So for this year: Evening of 2 April 2026 — Count Day 1 of the Omer.

Note: A helpful way to fulfil this mitzvah is by using the Chabad Omer counting app, available for both iOS and Android.

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RAM Q&A is a regular WireNews column addressing questions on Torah, ethics, faith, culture, and the practical challenges of modern life. Each response is grounded in Jewish thought, clarity of reasoning, and respect for first principles, offering considered answers rather than opinion or sentiment. To ask RAM a question email him at rav@rambenzeev.com.