As our count ends, make it quality over quantity

In Parshat Emor, the Torah tells us, “You shall then count for yourselves seven complete weeks after the day following the [Passover] holiday when you brought the omer as a wave offering.” (Vayikra 23:15)

The term “seven complete weeks” is used by the Ta”z (R David HeLevi) and others as proof that Maariv on the eve of Shavuot is not to begin until after the stars have appeared. This delay is meant to assure that the Sefirat haOmer period is over (the weeks are “completed”), so that the holiday of Shavuot can commence.

Is this a proper argument? Could the Torah’s terminology in this case be used to prevent the holiday from starting earlier? Shabbat often begins early. Sukkot begins early. Even Pesach may begin early, as the Shulchan Arukh states in 472:1: “One’s table should be set when it is still daytime, to be able to eat immediately when it gets dark. … However, he should not say Kiddush until it is dark.” The Mishnah Berurah notes that one is not obligated to begin eating at nightfall, but if it helps the children stay up, the earlier one starts, post nightfall, the better. Obviously, if the meal can begin immediately at nightfall, Maariv will have been prayed a little earlier.

While shuls should certainly follow their customs, it is worthy to note that the Magen Avraham (R Avraham Gombiner) uses the same verse from Vayikra to teach us that just like at Pesach, “We do not say Kiddush until the stars have come out.” (Shulchan Arukh 494, Introduction)

Apparently, either Maariv or Kiddush must wait until the stars have come out. But maybe the premise of the argument is based on an error. Or, to say it a little nicer, maybe the reading of the word “complete” is inaccurate.