When Does Shabbat End?: Difference between revisions
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</ref>. This is the widely accepted definition of when Shabbat ends, though there are a variety of opinions as to when this phenomenon actually occurs in a way that is halachically significant enough to end Shabbat. Most of these opinions can be subcategorized in one of two major methods of calculation: an astronomical based method or a time based method. | </ref>. This is the widely accepted definition of when Shabbat ends, though there are a variety of opinions as to when this phenomenon actually occurs in a way that is halachically significant enough to end Shabbat. Most of these opinions can be subcategorized in one of two major methods of calculation: an astronomical based method or a time based method. | ||
==The Astronomical Method== | ==The Astronomical Method== | ||
The astronomical method uses the time that it takes to see three small stars in Israel and position of the sun relative to the horizon at that time to extrapolate when Shabbat should end for the rest of the world. In Jerusalem, during the Tishrei and Nissan equinoxes, it takes approximately 36 minutes after sunset to see these three stars in the sky. At this time, the sun is 8.5 degrees below the horizon. Therefore, Shabbat ends when the sun is 8.5 degrees below the horizon, post-sunset, in every other location in the world. <ref>Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky, Sefer Bein HaShemashot. Berur Halacha (Zilber) Tinyana Siman </ref> | The astronomical method uses the time that it takes to see three small stars in Israel and position of the sun relative to the horizon at that time to extrapolate when Shabbat should end for the rest of the world. In Jerusalem, during the Tishrei and Nissan equinoxes, it takes approximately 36 minutes after sunset to see these three stars in the sky. At this time, the sun is 8.5 degrees below the horizon. Therefore, Shabbat ends when the sun is 8.5 degrees below the horizon, post-sunset, in every other location in the world. <ref>Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky, Sefer Bein HaShemashot. Berur Halacha (Zilber) Tinyana Siman. | ||
* Zmanim KHalacha p. 43 quotes Hacham Ovadia as holding that the minutes for Olot do not depend on location but rather shaot zmaniyot. Rabbi Yehuda Levi, author of Zmanim KHalacha, argues with Hacham Ovadia on the same page. He writes that the 72 minutes are not calculated based on the shaot zmaniot and do depend on current location. Rabbi Levi's difficulties stem from the Rambam's language and astronomic calculation. In the Berachot (1:1), Rambam uses a unique Arabic term when referring to alot hashachar, one that is not used in reference to zman Kriyat Shema (Berachot 1:5) or a the time of a mil (Pesachim 3:2). Furthermore, in the winter, it starts to become light earlier than it starts to become light the spring and the fall, despite having shorter shaot zmaniot in the winter; given this reality, it is difficult to justify calculating alot hashachar strictly according to shaot zmaniot. Therefore, Rabbi Levi maintains that alot hashachar's calculation is determined by degrees below the horizon. </ref> | |||
In light of this determination, the amount of time after sunset when Shabbat will end will vary from place to place in the world. | In light of this determination, the amount of time after sunset when Shabbat will end will vary from place to place in the world. | ||
==The Time Based Method== | ==The Time Based Method== | ||
Revision as of 20:57, 22 July 2020
There are a number of different positions regarding what is the amount of time that exists between sunset late Shabbat afternoon and when Shabbat ends.
Introduction
The Shulchan Aruch is of the opinion that Shabbat ends when one is able to see three small stars in the sky that are close in proximity to one another [1]. This is the widely accepted definition of when Shabbat ends, though there are a variety of opinions as to when this phenomenon actually occurs in a way that is halachically significant enough to end Shabbat. Most of these opinions can be subcategorized in one of two major methods of calculation: an astronomical based method or a time based method.
The Astronomical Method
The astronomical method uses the time that it takes to see three small stars in Israel and position of the sun relative to the horizon at that time to extrapolate when Shabbat should end for the rest of the world. In Jerusalem, during the Tishrei and Nissan equinoxes, it takes approximately 36 minutes after sunset to see these three stars in the sky. At this time, the sun is 8.5 degrees below the horizon. Therefore, Shabbat ends when the sun is 8.5 degrees below the horizon, post-sunset, in every other location in the world. [2]
In light of this determination, the amount of time after sunset when Shabbat will end will vary from place to place in the world.
The Time Based Method
- According to Sephardim, a Yireh Shamayim should be strict to refrain from Melacha until 72 minutes after sunset like Rabbenu Tam.[3] These 72 minutes are proportional to the length of the day, and do not depend on current location.[4]
- According to Sephardim, it is permitted for someone who keeps Rabbenu Tam time to ask someone who doesn't keep Rabbenu Tam time to do Melacha for him.[5]
Sources
- ↑ Shulchan Aruch O.C. 293:2 The Bei'ur Halacha (ibid.) is of the opinion that even Rabbeinu Tam, who holds that Shabbat should end 72 minutes after sunset (the time it takes to walk 4 mil), would concede that if three small stars in close proximity to each other are visible, Shabbat is over even if 72 minutes have not yet elapsed. This is in contrast to Rav Ovadiah Yosef (Shu"t Yabia Omer 2:21) and the Orot HaChaim's opinion that Rabbeinu Tam and Shulchan Aruch are really stating the same position. The Orot HaChaim explains that the stars being mentioned in the Shulchan Aruch are ones that are closer to the western horizon where the sun sets, which apparently take longer to become visible.
- ↑ Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky, Sefer Bein HaShemashot. Berur Halacha (Zilber) Tinyana Siman.
- Zmanim KHalacha p. 43 quotes Hacham Ovadia as holding that the minutes for Olot do not depend on location but rather shaot zmaniyot. Rabbi Yehuda Levi, author of Zmanim KHalacha, argues with Hacham Ovadia on the same page. He writes that the 72 minutes are not calculated based on the shaot zmaniot and do depend on current location. Rabbi Levi's difficulties stem from the Rambam's language and astronomic calculation. In the Berachot (1:1), Rambam uses a unique Arabic term when referring to alot hashachar, one that is not used in reference to zman Kriyat Shema (Berachot 1:5) or a the time of a mil (Pesachim 3:2). Furthermore, in the winter, it starts to become light earlier than it starts to become light the spring and the fall, despite having shorter shaot zmaniot in the winter; given this reality, it is difficult to justify calculating alot hashachar strictly according to shaot zmaniot. Therefore, Rabbi Levi maintains that alot hashachar's calculation is determined by degrees below the horizon.
- ↑ Yalkut Yosef 293:3
- ↑ Zmanim KHalacha, page 43, quoting Hacham Ovadia zt"l. Hence, 72 minutes would be 1.2 multiplied by the day's shaa zmanit.
- ↑ Yalkut Yosef 293:11
