The mitzvah of the omer is that it come from the closest [fields]. If that which is closest to Jerusalem did not ripen, we may bring it from any place. It once occurred that it came from Gaggoth Tzerifin, and the shtei halechem from the Ein Socher valley.

How did they do it? The court agents would go out on the eve of the Festival and make it into bundles while it was attached to the ground, so that it would be easier to reap. All of the towns nearby would gather there so that it should be reaped with great ceremony. As soon as it became dark, he would say to them, ‘‘Has the sun set?’’ and they would say, ‘‘Yes.’’ ‘‘Has the sun set?’’ and they would say, ‘‘Yes.’’ ‘‘This sickle?’’ and they would say, ‘‘Yes.’’ ‘‘This sickle?’’ and they would say, ‘‘Yes.’’ ‘‘This basket?’’ and they would say, ‘‘Yes.’’ ‘‘This basket?’’ and they would say, ‘‘Yes.’’ On the Sabbath, he would say to them, ‘‘This Sabbath?’’ and they would say, ‘‘Yes.’’ ‘‘This Sabbath?’’ and they would say, ‘‘Yes.’’ ‘‘Shall I reap?’’ and they would say to him, ‘‘Reap!’’ ‘‘Shall I reap?’’ and they would say to him, ‘‘Reap!’’ Three times for each item, and they would say to him, ‘‘Yes, yes, yes.’’ Why was all this necessary? Because of the Baytusim, who said that the omer is not reaped on motzaei Yom Tov.