Instructions for counting the omer are found on our Omer Overview Page. You can find the specific blessing for today at chabad.org.
We’re dedicating new Siddurim on the first day of Shavuot. In honor of this wonderful occasion, we’re using the counting of the Omer to learn about the siddur.
Enjoy today’s siddur related question and answer, which was provided by Rabbi Bass.
Are there prayers that ideally, I’d sing along with hazzan? Are there any prayers where I should strive to be quiet and let the hazzan have a solo?
One of the times that we should be silent and let the Shaliach/shlichat tzibur sing on their own is during the mussaf Amidah.
The morning, afternoon and evening Amidah for every single day of the year are seen as parallels to the three daily communal sacrifices brought to the Temple in Jerusalem. On Shabbat, Festivals, and Rosh Hodesh, an additional sacrifice (mussaf) was brought. Since that was not the regular communal sacrifice, we interpret the mussaf Amidah as an individual prayer, and therefore it would be great to allow the shaliah/shlichat tzibur to have a solo. In any case, it is always advisable to allow the leader of the prayer to set the nussach (melody) and pace of the prayers.