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Reference of Measurements in Halacha: Difference between revisions
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Reference of Measurements in Halacha (view source)
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, 23 July 2024→Bein HaShemashot and Tzet Hakochavim
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*See Hazmanim B'halacha Chap 41 for a complete discussion.</ref><ref>Rabbi Hershel Schachter on [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/728553/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_on_Zmanim_in_Halacha# yutorah.org (min 43-5)] explains that many practice like the Gra regarding Tzet HaKochavim on [[Motzei Shabbat]]. See Biur HaGra and Mishna Brurah 261. Pri Megadim assumes that according to Rabbenu Tam, 72 minutes is a fixed time, but Biur Halacha 261:2 ''s.v. kodem'' writes that it varies according to one's location.</ref> | *See Hazmanim B'halacha Chap 41 for a complete discussion.</ref><ref>Rabbi Hershel Schachter on [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/728553/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_on_Zmanim_in_Halacha# yutorah.org (min 43-5)] explains that many practice like the Gra regarding Tzet HaKochavim on [[Motzei Shabbat]]. See Biur HaGra and Mishna Brurah 261. Pri Megadim assumes that according to Rabbenu Tam, 72 minutes is a fixed time, but Biur Halacha 261:2 ''s.v. kodem'' writes that it varies according to one's location.</ref> | ||
#Just as by ''alot hashachar'', there is a dispute among the ''poskim'' as to the value of a ''mil'' and the amount of ''mil'' between ''alot'' and ''hanetz'', so too, this dispute applies regarding ''tzet hakochavim.'' | #Just as by ''alot hashachar'', there is a dispute among the ''poskim'' as to the value of a ''mil'' and the amount of ''mil'' between ''alot'' and ''hanetz'', so too, this dispute applies regarding ''tzet hakochavim.''<ref>Dvar Yom Chap. 6</ref> | ||
#Similarly, just as by ''alot'' there is a dispute as to whether the time is measured in degrees, ''shaot shavot,'' or ''shaot zmaniot''; that dispute applies regarding ''tzet hakochavim'' as well.<ref>There are three methods in the ''poskim'' for applying the ''zman'' of the Gra and of Rabbenu Tam: degrees, ''shaot zmaniot, shaot shavot.'' | #Similarly, just as by ''alot'' there is a dispute as to whether the time is measured in degrees, ''shaot shavot,'' or ''shaot zmaniot''; that dispute applies regarding ''tzet hakochavim'' as well.<ref>There are three methods in the ''poskim'' for applying the ''zman'' of the Gra and of Rabbenu Tam: degrees, ''shaot zmaniot, shaot shavot.'' | ||
*Degrees - The time of ''tzet hakochavim'' is an astronomical event; the timing of this varies depending on the locale and the time of year. Thus, many ''poskim'' write, that ''tzet'' cannot be calculated by time; rather, it must be based on the position of the sun below the horizon. ''Tzet'' is always when the sun is at a certain point below the horizon. According to this, the measurements given in ''mil'' actually refer to degrees. In other words, when the ''poskim'' write that ''tzet'' occurs 72 minutes after sunset, they do not mean to say that ''tzet'' occurs 72 minutes after ''shkiya'' in every locale, on every day of the year. Rather, they are discussing the time of ''tzet'' in Israel or Bavel on the equinox at which time the sun is approximately 16.1º below the horizon. By converting ''mil'' into degrees, we are merely conveying the "72 minutes" to apply them to any locale and for any time of the year. | *Degrees - The time of ''tzet hakochavim'' is an astronomical event; the timing of this varies depending on the locale and the time of year. Thus, many ''poskim'' write, that ''tzet'' cannot be calculated by time; rather, it must be based on the position of the sun below the horizon. ''Tzet'' is always when the sun is at a certain point below the horizon. According to this, the measurements given in ''mil'' actually refer to degrees. In other words, when the ''poskim'' write that ''tzet'' occurs 72 minutes after sunset, they do not mean to say that ''tzet'' occurs 72 minutes after ''shkiya'' in every locale, on every day of the year. Rather, they are discussing the time of ''tzet'' in Israel or Bavel on the equinox at which time the sun is approximately 16.1º below the horizon. By converting ''mil'' into degrees, we are merely conveying the "72 minutes" to apply them to any locale and for any time of the year. | ||
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#Because of all these factors, there are different customs as to the time of ''bein hashmashot'' and ''tzet hakochvim.'' | #Because of all these factors, there are different customs as to the time of ''bein hashmashot'' and ''tzet hakochvim.'' | ||
#Nowadays there is a widespread ''minhag'' to start ''bein hashmashot'' at ''shkiya'' in accordance with the ''zman'' of the ''geonim.''<ref>Hazmanim B'halacha Chap 44:5. He mentions that even those who were vehement in upholding the ''minhag'' to go in accordance with Rabbenu Tam agreed to be stringent to stop all ''melacha'' on ''Erev Shabbat'' at ''shkiya.'' </ref> | #Nowadays there is a widespread ''minhag'' to start ''bein hashmashot'' at ''shkiya'' in accordance with the ''zman'' of the ''geonim.''<ref>Hazmanim B'halacha Chap 44:5. He mentions that even those who were vehement in upholding the ''minhag'' to go in accordance with Rabbenu Tam agreed to be stringent to stop all ''melacha'' on ''Erev Shabbat'' at ''shkiya.'' </ref> | ||
#Some ''poskim'' write, that even according to Rabbenu Tam, in areas of a lower latitude where three medium-sized stars are visible earlier, ''tzet hakochavim'' would be at the time when the stars are visible. | #The time for ''tzet hakochavim'' is a bit more complicated because neither the time of Rabbenu Tam or the time of ''geonim'' coincide with the time that the stars actually become visible. There are explanations given both according to Rabbenu Tam and the ''geonim'' that the time for ''tzet hakochavim'' is ultimately dependent on the appearance of three stars.<ref>*Dvar Yom appendix 1 lists over 75 sources that the custom was to set ''tzet'' based on the appearance of stars and not based on ''mil.'' | ||
*Some ''poskim'' write, that even according to Rabbenu Tam, in areas of a lower latitude where three medium-sized stars are visible earlier, ''tzet hakochavim'' would be at the time when the stars are visible. | |||
*Minchas Kohen 2:5 ''s.v.'' ''she'im'', Biur Halacha 261:2 ''s.v. kodem'' and Igros Moshe O.C. IV:62 agree. Rav Moshe writes that in New York the time for ''tzet'' according to Rabbenu Tam is 50 minutes after ''shkiya''; however, he writes that it is proper for G-d fearing Jews to wait 72 minutes to end Shabbat, as was the custom in Europe. See Hazmanim B'halacha Chap. 42 for a complete discussion.</ref> Thus, there are generally two ''minhagim'' as to when ''tzet hakochavim'' is.<ref>Dvar Yom Chap. 6:10-31</ref> | |||
##With the appearance of 3 stars.<ref>Dvar Yom Chap. 6:18-24</ref> | |||
###There are many opinions as to the number of degrees that the sun must be below the horizon for 3 medium stars to appear. They range between 5.7º and 8.1º.<ref>Dvar Yom Chap. 6:17</ref> | |||
###For ending ''Shabbat'', the Shulchan Aruch rules that, to avoid mistakes, one must be stringent and wait until 3 small stars are visible. The ''shiur'' for this time was set by Rav Tukatzinski at 8.5º.<ref>Dvar Yom Chap. 6:18-19</ref> Most calendars both in Israel and abroad (who are not using 72 minutes fixed) use this measurement.<ref>Dvar Yom Chap. 6:20</ref> | |||
####In Israel this ''shiur'' results in ''Shabbat'' ending between 36 - 42 minutes after ''shkiya'' depending on the time of year.<ref>Dvar Yom Chap. 6:21</ref> | |||
####In New York this ''shiur'' results in the end of ''Shabbat'' ranging from 41 - 52 minutes after ''shkiya,'' depending on the time of year.<ref>Dvar Yom Chap. 6:21</ref> | |||
##72 minutes fixed.<ref>Dvar Yom Chap. 6:25-31. He writes that there are many questions on the 72-minute fixed ''shiur.'' 1. It is not equally dark in all locations at all times. 2. In other areas of halacha it is not necessarily accepted that the amount of a ''mil'' is 18 minutes. If so, why are we automatically accepting that a ''mil'' is 72 minutes. Also, there are many that hold that ''tzet'' is 5 ''mil'' after ''shkiya''? He answers that since the real time for ''tzet'' is when the stars come out; therefore, the whole impetus to wait 72 minutes is really a stringency. This stringency was not accepted to its fullest. It was only accepted up until 72 fixed minutes.</ref><ref>See Hazmanim B'Halacha Chap. 44-46 that the author Rav Chaim Beinish who, at length, posits that the ''minhag'' of various places around the world of when to end ''Shabbat'' coincides with their geopraphic location. In short, he shows how places that were farther north generally went in accordance with Rabbenu Tam to wait 72 minutes. Places farther south went in accordance with the ''geonim.'' And places in between went after the ''minhag'' of 3 stars. (His goal is to prove that ultimately everyone agrees that ''tzet hakochavim'' si when 3 stars are visible.)</ref> | |||
==Miscellaneous== | ==Miscellaneous== | ||
