B"H

Rav Chaim and/or Rebbe Peretz,

Someone asked: "Why do the Yemenites count the days of the Omer in the Aramaic language?"

We find two reasons in Maharitz's commentary "Etz Hayim," on the Baladi-rite prayer book. One reason for saying it in the Aramaic language, and not in the Hebrew language, is (as surmised) done for the same reason we say the Kaddish in the Aramaic language, namely, that the angels in heaven will not understand what we are saying and, thereby, not become jealous over us - since during these 49 days of counting the Omer, we go forth from a lower degree of sanctity and purity to a higher degree of the same, culminating at the "49th gate" of spiritual purity and efficacy with the giving of the Law at Sinai.

The second reason given by Maharitz is that the counting of the Omer was passed down unto us in the Aramaic language, just as it was ordained and practised in Babylon, in order that the common populace would understand the man that leads the counting. There is, moreover, a Halacha which states that if a man who is counting does not understand the Hebrew language, he fulfills not his obligation.
Therefore, in Babylon, it was ordained to have these days counted in the Aramaic tongue.

So far his words. Can either of you give me a source in the Talmud that shows us that the days of the Omer were originally counted in Aramaic?

Sincerely,
David Ben-Abraham

B"H

Perhaps some of those reading this post, do not have the faintest idea of what we're talking about when we say "49 gates of purity," and "angels not understanding what we're saying," etc.

A short explanation therefore ensues:

The Talmud in Tractate Kiddushin says that the angels do not understand the Aramaic language.

In certain kabbalistic writings we also learn that the people of Israel had nearly gone into the 50th and final "gate" of impurity when they were enslaved in Egypt. They had already sunken down so spiritually low that they were said to have gone, as it were, into the "49th gate of impurity."

In contrast to those 49 and 50 gates, there are "50 gates of purity." The 49 days taken up in counting the Omer are essentially the counter, or antethesis, of those 49 gates of impurity, helping us to actually arise out of our impoverished spiritual condition.

David

I looked around a little, but found no source before the Rishonim that discusses the exact wording of Sefiras HaOmer.
However, the Magen Avraham writes that Sefira must be said in a language that one understands. Unlike other things, it does not help to say Sefira in Lashon HaKodesh if one does not understand it. Therefore, it stands to reason that in the time of the gemora it was very likely that Sefiras HaOmer was said in the Aramaic vernacular.

Which begs the question - do Yemenites who count in Aramaic understand what they are saying? If not, it is questionable as to whether they have fulfilled the Mitzvah of Sefiras HaOmer.

B"H

Rebbe Yisroel, Shalom to all of you there in Great Britain!

Most Yemenites, I would say - without reservation - understand fully what they are saying when counting the Omer in the Aramaic language. We must remember here that the Yemenites are the only ethnic group in world Jewry that still continues to this very day to read the Aramaic translation aloud, after each verse in the Torah, on each Sabbath day, throughout the entire year. The small children (those of 9 -12) are actually the ones that are selected to read the Aramaic translation of Onkelos which, as we said, is read aloud for the entire congregation to hear. They subsequently grow up having a thorough knowledge and understanding of Aramaic words.

The Talmud, of course, is far less understood by the masses. Yet, knowing the Aramaic translation of Onkelos gives one an advantage in the Talmud over those who have never been trained at all in the Aramaic of Onkelos.

Sincerely,
David

Reb David,

Well I guess that answers my question quite satisfactorily.

Kol Tuv VeShabbat Shalom.

quote:

Originally posted by David Ben-Abraham:
B"H

Rebbe Yisroel, Shalom to all of you there in Great Britain!

Most Yemenites, I would say - without reservation - understand fully what they are saying when counting the Omer in the Aramaic language. We must remember here that the Yemenites are the only ethnic group in world Jewry that still continues to this very day to read the Aramaic translation aloud, after each verse in the Torah, on each Sabbath day, throughout the entire year. The small children (those of 9 -12) are actually the ones that are selected to read the Aramaic translation of Onkelos which, as we said, is read aloud for the entire congregation to hear. They subsequently grow up having a thorough knowledge and understanding of Aramaic words.

The Talmud, of course, is far less understood by the masses. Yet, knowing the Aramaic translation of Onkelos gives one an advantage in the Talmud over those who have never been trained at all in the Aramaic of Onkelos.

Sincerely,
David

Shalom R'David, could you post the link for the Yemenite yahoo group again?

Thanks - be well,
Aharon