Q. See question above. Since the AI or zooming counting does not seem to make a difference, is it even better to count as a group in a zoom shiur together?

A. on question 3119 we were asked the following similar question:
“We daven in our shul Maariv early after Plag and don’t count sefirah then as it is too early. I join later on a Zoom Daf and I’m trying to convince them to count at the end of the shiur, when it is already certainly night, to count Sefirah together. Is that correct?”
To what we answered:

“ It would stand to reason that it is correct, so the participants will remember to count. Besides Poskim write that on the onset it is better to count Sefiras Haomer together with a Tzibur and Rov Am or congregation (Shloh Hakadosh – Pesachim – P. Ner Mitzva, Beer Heitev 489: 20, Siddur Yaavetz and others.

Although a Zoom group does not create a minyan and one does not even have to answer amen to a brocho recited by that media, for some purposes such as a Seudas Mitzva and a siyum it is effective (See question 2721).

Horav Aharon Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it can have the effect of davening at home without a minyan, but at the same time that others are also davening which is preferred. (See Shulchan Aruch O.H. 90: 9).

On question 3140 the Rov added: That although there are not united in one location, it is still an “Eis Rotzon” or a favorable time, since after all ‘Rov Am’ or many are doing the mitzva at that same time.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a