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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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#According to Sephardim, ''alot hashachar'' is 72 seasonal minutes before sunrise.<ref>Yalkut Yosef, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Siman 58, Seif 3. </ref> These minutes are proportional to the length of the day,<ref>Yalkut Yosef, Pesuke DeZimra and Keriat Shema, pages 432-433 based on Rambam, Perush Mishnayot, Masechet Berachot, Perek 1.</ref> and do not depend on current location.<ref>Zmanim KHalacha, page 43, quoting Hacham Ovadia zt"l. Hence, 72 minutes would be 1.2 multiplied by the day's shaa zmanit. 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> | #According to Sephardim, ''alot hashachar'' is 72 seasonal minutes before sunrise.<ref>Yalkut Yosef, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Siman 58, Seif 3. </ref> These minutes are proportional to the length of the day,<ref>Yalkut Yosef, Pesuke DeZimra and Keriat Shema, pages 432-433 based on Rambam, Perush Mishnayot, Masechet Berachot, Perek 1.</ref> and do not depend on current location.<ref>Zmanim KHalacha, page 43, quoting Hacham Ovadia zt"l. Hence, 72 minutes would be 1.2 multiplied by the day's shaa zmanit. 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> | ||
==== | ==== Applying these Times ==== | ||
There are three methods in the ''poskim'' as to the practical application of the aforementioned times: degrees, ''shaot zmaniot, shaot shavot.'' | There are three methods in the ''poskim'' as to the practical application of the aforementioned times: degrees, ''shaot zmaniot, shaot shavot.'' | ||
===== Degrees ===== | ===== Degrees ===== | ||
# The time of ''alot hashachar'' refers to an astronomical event in which the first rays of light from the sun become visible on the horizon.<ref>Biur Halacha 89:1 quotes ''poskim'' who write that it is when the whole eastern horizon becomes light. This does not make a difference in our discussion.</ref> The sun's rays become visible when the sun is a certain number of degrees below the horizon. The | # The time of ''alot hashachar'' refers to an astronomical event in which the first rays of light from the sun become visible on the horizon.<ref>Biur Halacha 89:1 quotes ''poskim'' who write that it is when the whole eastern horizon becomes light. This does not make a difference in our discussion.</ref> The sun's rays become visible when the sun is a certain number of degrees below the horizon. The timing of this varies depending on the locale and the time of year. Thus, there are many ''poskim'' who write, that ''alot'' cannot be calculated by time; rather, it must be based on the number of degrees that the sun is below the horizon. This is always the time when the first light appears. | ||
# According to this, the measurements given in the amount of ''mil'' actually refer to degrees. In other words, when the ''poskim'' write that ''alot'' occurs 72 minutes before sunrise they are discussing the time of ''alot'' in Israel or Bavel on the equinox; the sun is aproximately 16.1º below the horizon at that time. By translating ''mil'' into degrees, these measurements can be adapted to any locale and for any time of the year. | |||
#Some hold that Alot is determined degrees below horizon. There are three opinions about the measure of the mil and therefore, there are three opinions of when Alot is: | #Some hold that Alot is determined degrees below horizon. There are three opinions about the measure of the mil and therefore, there are three opinions of when Alot is: | ||
