Misva #304: Eating Roasted Kernels of the New Grain Before the 16th of Nissan

The Torah in Parashat Emor (Vayikra 23) discusses the Omer offering, which was brought from the first portion of the newly-harvested grain, on the second day of Pesach (the 16 th of Nissan). Amidst this discussion (verse 14), the Torah forbids partaking of the new grain before this offering is brought. The offering of a portion of the new grain is what renders the rest of the produce permissible for consumption. After introducing the prohibition against eating bread produced from the newly-harvested grain before the offering of the Korban Ha’omer, the Torah adds that one may not partake of even “Kali” – roasted kernels. One might have thought that the Torah forbids only eating bread made from flour produced from this grain, but not the grain itself. The Torah therefore adds a separate prohibition forbidding eating “Kali” from the new grain before the offering of the Omer sacrifice on the 16 th of Nissan. Even though the stalks were not ground into flour, and no processing has taken place, nevertheless, the grain may not be eaten. One who eats a Ke’zayit of “Kali” from the new grain before the offering of the Omer sacrifice has violated this prohibition and is liable to Malkut.