99
edits
Reference of Measurements in Halacha: Difference between revisions
From Halachipedia
Reference of Measurements in Halacha (view source)
Revision as of 01:36, 22 July 2024
, 22 July 2024→Misheyakir: Moved the minhag Sephardim to the end of the discussion as it is contingent on more than 1 portion of it.
(→Misheyakir: Moved the minhag Sephardim to the end of the discussion as it is contingent on more than 1 portion of it.) |
|||
| Line 282: | Line 282: | ||
===Alot HaShachar=== | ===Alot HaShachar=== | ||
==== Opinions for the time of | ==== Opinions for the time of Alot Hashachar ==== | ||
#There is a debate in the Gemara whether the time from ''alot hasachar'' until sunrise is 4 ''mil'' or 5 ''mil.''<ref>Pesachim 93b -94a. Ulah says that it is 5 ''mil'' while Rav Yehuda says 4 ''mil.''</ref> | #There is a debate in the Gemara whether the time from ''alot hasachar'' until sunrise is 4 ''mil'' or 5 ''mil.''<ref>Pesachim 93b -94a. Ulah says that it is 5 ''mil'' while Rav Yehuda says 4 ''mil.''</ref> | ||
#There are different opinions among the ''poskim'' as to the ''psak'' halacha. Coupled with the debate about the timing of a ''mil'', room is made for a few different opinions. | #There are different opinions among the ''poskim'' as to the ''psak'' halacha. Coupled with the debate about the timing of a ''mil'', room is made for a few different opinions. | ||
| Line 291: | Line 291: | ||
*He also quotes Rabbi Tukachinsky who held like the opinion of 90 minutes. | *He also quotes Rabbi Tukachinsky who held like the opinion of 90 minutes. | ||
*[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/728553/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_on_Zmanim_in_Halacha Rav Hershel Schachter on yutorah.org] (min 65-7) says that we assume that [[Alot HaShachar]] depends on degrees below horizon and the specific times vary according to one’s location. Similarly, [http://www.ou.org/webcast_kosher Rav Yisrael Belsky] (OU Kosher Webcast, 2011, min 19-21) mentioned in passing that [[Alot HaShachar]] is assumed to be 72 minutes before sunrise, varying according to the longitude and latitude.</ref> | *[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/728553/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_on_Zmanim_in_Halacha Rav Hershel Schachter on yutorah.org] (min 65-7) says that we assume that [[Alot HaShachar]] depends on degrees below horizon and the specific times vary according to one’s location. Similarly, [http://www.ou.org/webcast_kosher Rav Yisrael Belsky] (OU Kosher Webcast, 2011, min 19-21) mentioned in passing that [[Alot HaShachar]] is assumed to be 72 minutes before sunrise, varying according to the longitude and latitude.</ref> | ||
==== Applying these Times ==== | ==== Applying these Times ==== | ||
| Line 319: | Line 318: | ||
##90 minutes fixed before Netz.<ref>Zmanei Hahalacha Lmaaseh p. 18 writes that 90 minutes fixed is based on the rishonim that a mil is 22.5 minutes and there is 4 mil between Alot and Netz. He writes that Rav Tukachinsky used that for his luach, though he argues that we shouldn't follow it since Shulchan Aruch held of the 18 minute mil.</ref> | ##90 minutes fixed before Netz.<ref>Zmanei Hahalacha Lmaaseh p. 18 writes that 90 minutes fixed is based on the rishonim that a mil is 22.5 minutes and there is 4 mil between Alot and Netz. He writes that Rav Tukachinsky used that for his luach, though he argues that we shouldn't follow it since Shulchan Aruch held of the 18 minute mil.</ref> | ||
##72 minutes fixed before Netz.<ref>Zmanei Hahalacha Lmaaseh p. 18 writes that 72 minutes fixed is based on the rishonim that a mil is 18 minutes and there is 4 mil between Alot and Netz.</ref> | ##72 minutes fixed before Netz.<ref>Zmanei Hahalacha Lmaaseh p. 18 writes that 72 minutes fixed is based on the rishonim that a mil is 18 minutes and there is 4 mil between Alot and Netz.</ref> | ||
===== Minhag Sephardim ===== | |||
# 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> | |||
===Misheyakir=== | ===Misheyakir=== | ||
#''Misheyakir'' refers to the time in the morning when there is enough light to recognize an acquaintance at a distance of 4 ''amos.'' There is a dispute as to whether this depends solely on the position of the sun, or whether it depends on actual visibility so that other environmental factors (e.g. cloud cover) must be taken into account as well. The accepted ''minhag'' is to base ''misheyakir'' solely on the position of the sun. However, this may be due to the fact that in our times it is not practical to use actual visibility as a barometer | #''Misheyakir'' refers to the time in the morning when there is enough light to recognize an acquaintance at a distance of 4 ''amos.'' There is a dispute as to whether this depends solely on the position of the sun, or whether it depends on actual visibility so that other environmental factors (e.g. cloud cover) must be taken into account as well. The accepted ''minhag'' is to base ''misheyakir'' solely on the position of the sun. However, this may be due to the fact that in our times it is not practical to use actual visibility as a barometer; even at night, acquaintances can be discernable because of all the light pollution.<ref>Dvar Yom Chap. 8:3</ref> | ||
#There is a wide range of opinions precisely when ''misheyakir'' occurs in Jerusalem on a perfect day, when there are exactly 12 daylight hours, and every seasonal hour consists of 60 minutes. The three opinions include: 35 minutes before sunrise,<ref>Rav Moshe Feinstein in Le-Torah ve-Hora'ah Vol. 3:7 and in Iggeros Moshe OC 4:6 holds of 35 minutes. Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky in Emes liyaakov OC 58:1 rules that it is 36 minutes before sunrise. Zmanei Halacha LeMaaseh (pg 19) holds of 40 minutes before sunrise. </ref> 60 minutes before sunrise,<ref>Rav Tukaczinsky in Sefer Eretz Yisrael 1:4 (pg 18), Kaf HaChaim 18:18, Sh"t Binyan Tzion 2:16 hold of 60 minutes before sunrise. Nivreshet (vol 1, pg 43) holds of 52 minutes.</ref> and 66 minutes before sunrise.<ref>Rav Ovadya Yoseh in Yechave Daat 2:8</ref> | #There is a wide range of opinions precisely when ''misheyakir'' occurs in Jerusalem on a perfect day, when there are exactly 12 daylight hours, and every seasonal hour consists of 60 minutes. The three opinions include: 35 minutes before sunrise,<ref>Rav Moshe Feinstein in Le-Torah ve-Hora'ah Vol. 3:7 and in Iggeros Moshe OC 4:6 holds of 35 minutes. Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky in Emes liyaakov OC 58:1 rules that it is 36 minutes before sunrise. Zmanei Halacha LeMaaseh (pg 19) holds of 40 minutes before sunrise. </ref> 60 minutes before sunrise,<ref>Rav Tukaczinsky in Sefer Eretz Yisrael 1:4 (pg 18), Kaf HaChaim 18:18, Sh"t Binyan Tzion 2:16 hold of 60 minutes before sunrise. Nivreshet (vol 1, pg 43) holds of 52 minutes.</ref> and 66 minutes before sunrise.<ref>Rav Ovadya Yoseh in Yechave Daat 2:8</ref> | ||
#The various opinions would then have to be adapted for other regions and for different times of year.<ref>*There are two factors at work here: First, the processes of daybreak and nightfall occur faster at places near the equator than places further away from the equator. Second, the speed of these processes are also affected by the seasons. | #The various opinions would then have to be adapted for other regions and for different times of year.<ref>*There are two factors at work here: First, the processes of daybreak and nightfall occur faster at places near the equator than places further away from the equator. Second, the speed of these processes are also affected by the seasons. | ||
| Line 346: | Line 349: | ||
Regarding all of the times for ''mincha'' see the [[mincha]] page. | Regarding all of the times for ''mincha'' see the [[mincha]] page. | ||
#Mincha | #''Mincha gedola'' is six and a half halachic hours (''shaot zmaniot'') after sunrise.<ref>Rashi (Pesachim 107a s.v. mincha gedola), Rambam (Tefillah 3:2)</ref> | ||
===Plag Hamincha=== | ===Plag Hamincha=== | ||
#Plag | #''Plag hamincha'' is 10.45 hours into the day.<ref>Gemara Brachot 26b, Shulchan Aruch O.C. 233:1</ref> Some define it as 1.25 hours before Tzet, the emergence of the stars, and some define it as 1.25 hours before Shekiya, sunset.<ref>See Magen Avraham 267:1 and [[When_Is_the_Earliest_and_Latest_Time_to_Pray%3F#Maariv_Before_Sunset_If_One_Davened_Mincha_Early]]. Yalkut Yosef (Shabbat v. 1 p. 168 263 fnt. 62; 235:1; 267:12), Ben Ish Chai Vayahakel n. 8. In all of those places the calculation of Plag is made from Tzet according to the Geonim. However, Kaf Hachaim 233:7 and Halichot Olam v. 1 p. 248-9 hold that plag can be calculated 1.25 hours before shekiya like the Gra.</ref> | ||
===Mincha Ketana=== | ===Mincha Ketana=== | ||
