Halocho#497 - Sowing for the Omer

In the time of the Bet HaMikdash, they would sow barley today - 70 days before the Omer sacrifice - so as to have fresh barley to harvest for the Omer ceremony.

The barley was harvested on the 2nd night of Pessach - even if it was Shabbat.

On the 2nd day of Pessach a handful of the Omer sacrifice - barley flour with oil - was sacrificed on the Mizbe'ach (altar) and the rest was baked and eaten by the Cohanim.

In Israel it is forbidden to start harvesting before the Omer.

Grain that took root after the Omer-barley was harvested is Chodeosh and is forbidden until the following year, as we learned yesterday.

Source: Tosafot in Menachot 85., Rambam, Hilchot Temidim Ch. 7

- Danny
Wednesday, 5 Shvat 5770