There is a dispute in the rishonim whether counting the Omer is one long mitzvah with 49 parts or 49 separate mitzvahs. Based on this dispute there is an interesting halacha which results. If one forgot to count one night, and does not remember until the next night, he should continue counting without a bracha. He should continue counting according to the opinion that each night is a different mitzvah. The brocha though should be omitted according to the opinion that the whole counting is one mitzvah. This opinion says that as soon as one part is missed, the entire mitzvah is lost, and the brocha can no longer be recited. If however one is in doubt about whether he counted on the previous night, he may continue counting with a brocha. Maybe he counted on the previous night, and even if he did not, maybe the halacha is according to the opinion that each night is a separate mitzvah. The same logic applies if one only remembers to count at the end of the day right after shkia, during bein hashmashos. Although he should count then without a brocha, he can then continue at night with a brocha. Maybe he counted at a time that was still day, and if he missed that day, maybe the next night is a separate mitzvah.

Rabbi Tzvi Aryeh Hyman, Mir Yeshiva
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