Lag B'Omer & Sefira

May a boy who has his bar mitzvah during Sefirat HaOmer continue counting with a Bracha? Akiva Silvers My son Akiva has the following question: I am 12 years old. At parshat 'Emor' I will be observing my Bar Mitzvah. Until now I have been counting the Omer with a bracha [blessing]. When I reach thirteen I will be counting the Omer as an adult and previously I was only counting as a minor for 'chinuch' [educational purposes]. When I become bar Mitzvah, should I continue counting with a bracha as I do have a certain level of 'Temmimut' [completeness], but on the other hand the quality of my mitzvah is not the same as if I had begun at the beginning? Thank you for your time, Akiva SilversAlan Shear of Yeshiva College South Africa wrote: Dear Rabbi Many people have asked me the following question which can really be a bit perplexing. A boy who has his bar mitzvah during Sefirat HaOmer, may he continue counting with a Bracha? This has practical application here right now, so a timely answer would be greatly appreciated. Many Thanks

I recently purchased an engagement ring. Do I have to wait till after the Omer to give it to my fiancee?

We have a custom in our family to color eggs for Lag B'omer, and we know of others around the world that have this custom too. Yet nobody seems to know the origin or source of it. Some people I have asked suggested it is taken from a pagan custom, G-d forbid. Can anyone shed light on this please?