It is an essential element of Judaism meant for the upliftment of Kal Yisroel. This study of the weekly parsha is dedicated in the loving memory of Naomi Channah, Mrs. Naomi Lipton Kravitz may she rest in peace, by her son, Daniel Kravitz, and family. On the second night of Pesach, we start to count the omer. One must count standing up. The mitzvah is to count at the beginning of the evening, as you can see the stars.
Most people count after maariv with a minyan.
On Shabbos and Yom Tov we count after Kiddush so that the sanctification of the day is recited first, but before saying Havdalah in order to delay the departure of the holy day. This is the first step of eleven in counting the omer. If the entire night has passed, and you forgot to count the omer, you should say the blessing the following day with no bracha. When one does this, they may recite a bracha before counting the omer for the next new day. However if one forgets to say a bracha on the second consecutive day of counting the omer then one may count without saying a bracha.