There are other situations in which Chadash (new) grain is allowed to be harvested before the Omer (barley offering). The Mishnah says that you’re allowed to harvest grain because of young trees that grow near it. These young trees would be damaged by unharvested grain. If there is grain near trees, the grain itself is considered to be of inferior quality. Therefore, you’re allowed to harvest it in order to make, because it is unfit for the Omer as it is. The rabbis would normally say that you’re not allowed to harvest any grain before the Omer because they’re nervous that people would eventually eat it. Here, they made an exception to the rule because the plants caused damage to the young trees growing near them.
You’re allowed to harvest grain because of a house of mourning, to make room for the Omer. Those who were comforting and being to the mourners also wanted to say the mourner’s blessings. Harvesting before the Omer is permitted for the sake of this mitzvah (commandment). The first meal a mourner eats after the burial of a family member was served in an open area where friends and relatives would gather and say a special Beracha (blessing) to serve as condolences for the person who was killed. We don’t do this nowadays. But if there wasn’t enough room in that spot for everyone to gather, they were allowed to harvest grain to make more room, even though the Omer wasn’t yet harvested. The Torah tells us that the Omer barley has to be from the first harvest. We learn from here that harvesting before the Omer is permitted for a mitzvah, even though you’re not allowed to do it for your own personal needs. Also, you’re allowed to do it for your own personal needs. Also, you’re allowed to do it for your own personal needs.
You’re allowed to harvest grain to avoid people who are going to neglect their Torah learning. When the study hall becomes too crowded, you’re allowed to harvest grain to make room for more seating. If the Beit Midrash (study hall) was full, they would cut down the grain growing outside and learn over there. This was done for Talmud Torah, for the sacred mitzvah of Torah learning. Therefore, it was allowed before the barley was harvested for the Omer. We don’t do this nowadays. The stalks of grain are allowed to be harvested before the Omer in those cases, but you’re not allowed to turn them into bundles. You’re not allowed to do that. But you leave them in untied piles. The rabbis allowed you to harvest the grain to protect those trees, for the house of mourning, or for the Talmud Torah, for the learning, but they never allowed people to tie the grain into bundles. The rabbis were nervous. The rabbis were nervous. If the workers handled the grain over here in a very close manner, bundling it up, then it was likely that they were going to eat some of it because they were working with it, so they would eventually just take a bite. Therefore, the rabbis made a decree that the grain had to be left in untied piles, to minimize how much they handled it.
Mitzvato Lavo Min HaKamah.
There are other details concerning the mitzvah of the Omer. To fulfill the mitzvah of the Omer the right way, it should be bought from standing grain that was attached to the ground and cut specifically for the purpose of the mitzvah of the Omer. If a person didn’t find standing grain before Pesach—it was all harvested already—they’re allowed to bring the offering from bundles of grain stalks that were harvested without the proper intentions.
Mitzvato Lavo Min HaLach.
To do the mitzvah of the Omer properly, the person bringing the offering should bring it from moist kernels of freshness.
Lo matza yavi min hayavesh.
If they didn’t find that moist, fresh grain, they’re allowed to bring it from dried-out grain as well.
Mitzvato Liktzor BaLayla.
The best way to do it is to cut the barley at nighttime on the 16th of Nisan, even though it isn’t offered until the next morning.
Niktzar bayom kasher, niktzar bayom kasher.
But if it was harvested during the day, on the 16th rather than the previous night, the korban (offering) is valid.
V'doche et haShabbat.
The offering of the Omer overrides Shabbat, as we elaborated on in earlier Mishnayot.