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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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##Among Ashkenazim, some are strict to hold like the Magen Avraham, unless there is a serious need, in which case one may hold like the Gra. <ref>Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky in Sefer Eretz Yisrael (pg 18#3) writes that the minhag of [[Israel]] is to follow the magen avraham and only under pressure may one rely on the Gra.</ref> However, some are lenient to rely on the Gra. <ref>[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/728553/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_on_Zmanim_in_Halacha Rav Hershel Schachter on yutorah.org] (min 77-79) says that many follow the opinion of the Gra in calculating the time for Sof [[Kriyat Shema]]. </ref> | ##Among Ashkenazim, some are strict to hold like the Magen Avraham, unless there is a serious need, in which case one may hold like the Gra. <ref>Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky in Sefer Eretz Yisrael (pg 18#3) writes that the minhag of [[Israel]] is to follow the magen avraham and only under pressure may one rely on the Gra.</ref> However, some are lenient to rely on the Gra. <ref>[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/728553/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_on_Zmanim_in_Halacha Rav Hershel Schachter on yutorah.org] (min 77-79) says that many follow the opinion of the Gra in calculating the time for Sof [[Kriyat Shema]]. </ref> | ||
#There are ''rishonim'' and ''poskim'' who maintain that most ''shaot'' are ''shaot shavot'' - of equal time - 60-minute hours.<ref>Terumas HaDeshen 121</ref> However, this is not the accepted halacha. One reason given for this opinion is that many halachic times are based on peoples' daily schedule. Daily schedules do not vary based on the amount of daylight hours. For example: the end time for ''kriat shema'' is set based on the time that princes arise each day. Princes arise the same time each day, regardless of whether the sun rises at 5:30 or at 7:30.<ref>For further discussion see Ha'zmanim B'halacha Chap.12 n.11-17</ref> | #There are ''rishonim'' and ''poskim'' who maintain that most ''shaot'' are ''shaot shavot'' - of equal time - 60-minute hours.<ref>Terumas HaDeshen 121</ref> However, this is not the accepted halacha. One reason given for this opinion is that many halachic times are based on peoples' daily schedule. Daily schedules do not vary based on the amount of daylight hours. For example: the end time for ''kriat shema'' is set based on the time that princes arise each day. Princes arise the same time each day, regardless of whether the sun rises at 5:30 or at 7:30.<ref>For further discussion see Ha'zmanim B'halacha Chap.12 n.11-17</ref> | ||
=== Mil === | |||
# Some of the daily ''zmanim'' are described in terms of a ''mil.'' This refers to the amount of time it takes for the average person to walk a ''mil'' - 2000 ''amos''. There are three opinions in the ''poskim'' as to how long that takes. | |||
## Shulchan Aruch writes that it takes 18 minutes to walk a ''mil.''<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 459:2</ref> | |||
## Biur Halacha writes that some give an amount of 22.5 minutes.<ref>Biur Halacha 459:2 ''s.v. Havei''</ref> | |||
## There are others quoted by Biur Halacha who maintain that the amount is 24 minutes.<ref>Biur Halacha 459:2 ''s.v. Havei''</ref><ref>For a further discussion as to how these times were calculated see Dvar Yom (English) Chap. 2.</ref> | |||
===Alot HaShachar=== | ===Alot HaShachar=== | ||
'''Halacha''' | '''Halacha''' | ||
#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. | |||
#One view is that it takes 72 minutes from the time of the first light until sunrise. They are assuming that the time of a ''mil'' is 18 minutes, and that it takes 4 ''mil'' from ''alot'' until sunrise.<ref>Rambam Peirush Hamishnayot Brachot 1:1, Abudraham Shaar 1, Hazmanim Bhalacha Chap. 21:7 writes that this is the custom outside Israel.</ref> | |||
#Another opinion is 90 minutes. They conclude as well that there are 4 ''mil'' between ''alot'' and ''hanetz''; yet they set the amount of a ''mil'' at 22.5 minutes.<ref>Biur Halacha 459:2 ''s.v. Havei'' quoting Biur HaGra, Sefer Seder Zmanim. Hazmanim Bhalacha Chap. 21:8 writes that this is the custom in Israel.</ref> | |||
#A third opinion is that the ''mil'' is 24 minutes, and there are 5 ''mil'' between ''alot'' and sunrise. This sets the time of ''alot'' at 120 minutes before ''hanetz.''<ref>Magen Avrohom 459:3, Rav Chaim Noeh coined this as the "custom of Chabad"; yet there were those who disagreed - see Hazmanim Bhalacha Chap.21:9</ref> | |||
#There is yet a fourth opinion that there are 96 minutes between ''alot'' and ''hanetz.'' This is assuming that there are 4 ''mil'' each one being 24 minutes. | |||
#Many ''rishonim'' hold that [[Alot HaShachar|''alot hashachar'']] is 72 minutes before sunrise on a "perfect day" (when sunrise and sunset are exactly 12 hours apart) in Jerusalem which is equivalent to when the sun is 16.1 degrees below the horizon anywhere in the world; however, others hold that [[Alot HaShachar]] is 90 minutes on a perfect day which is 19.78 degrees below the horizon.<ref>*The Rosh (Brachot 4:1) writes that Alot for the korban tamid and Shacharit is after the rays of the sun begin to show and also the Eastern part of the sky began to become light. This is also the opinion of the Rabbenu Yerucham cited by Bet Yosef 89:1. Shulchan Aruch 89:1 codifies their opinion. Magen Avraham 89:3 argues that many rishonim hold that Alot is once the rays of the sun begin to show even though the Eastern part of the sky isn't light. Torat Yoma 28a siman 11 writes that the Rambam Pirush Mishnayot Yoma 3:1 and Ritva Yoma 28a hold like the Rosh and Rabbenu Yerucham, while Rashi sides with the Magen Avraham. Practically, the Mishna Brurah (Biur Halacha 89:1 s.v. v'im) writes that one shouldn't be lenient for the Magen Avraham as the Eliya Rabba, Mateh Yehuda, and Gra argue with the Magen Avraham. Therefore, Alot is once the rays of the sun began to show and also the Eastern part of the sky became light. | #Many ''rishonim'' hold that [[Alot HaShachar|''alot hashachar'']] is 72 minutes before sunrise on a "perfect day" (when sunrise and sunset are exactly 12 hours apart) in Jerusalem which is equivalent to when the sun is 16.1 degrees below the horizon anywhere in the world; however, others hold that [[Alot HaShachar]] is 90 minutes on a perfect day which is 19.78 degrees below the horizon.<ref>*The Rosh (Brachot 4:1) writes that Alot for the korban tamid and Shacharit is after the rays of the sun begin to show and also the Eastern part of the sky began to become light. This is also the opinion of the Rabbenu Yerucham cited by Bet Yosef 89:1. Shulchan Aruch 89:1 codifies their opinion. Magen Avraham 89:3 argues that many rishonim hold that Alot is once the rays of the sun begin to show even though the Eastern part of the sky isn't light. Torat Yoma 28a siman 11 writes that the Rambam Pirush Mishnayot Yoma 3:1 and Ritva Yoma 28a hold like the Rosh and Rabbenu Yerucham, while Rashi sides with the Magen Avraham. Practically, the Mishna Brurah (Biur Halacha 89:1 s.v. v'im) writes that one shouldn't be lenient for the Magen Avraham as the Eliya Rabba, Mateh Yehuda, and Gra argue with the Magen Avraham. Therefore, Alot is once the rays of the sun began to show and also the Eastern part of the sky became light. | ||
*Sefer Zmanim KeHilchatam (Rabbi Berstein, pg 347) writes that 72 minutes on a perfect day in Jerusalem is equal to when the sun is 16 degrees below the horizon and 90 minutes is equal to 19.78 degrees below the horizon. He personally rules that one should be strict for both of these opinions for Deoritta halachas and those derabbanan halachas where safek is lechumra. He tries to prove that this is the opinion of the Mishna Brurah (92:3, Beiur Halacha 163:1 s.v. Berachok). However, he totally rejects the opinion that [[Alot HaShachar]] is 120 minutes before sunrise. [It is noteworthy that astronomical dawn is the time when the Sun is at 18 degrees below the horizon and before then the sky is absolutely dark ([timeanddate.com https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/different-types-twilight.html]).] | *Sefer Zmanim KeHilchatam (Rabbi Berstein, pg 347) writes that 72 minutes on a perfect day in Jerusalem is equal to when the sun is 16 degrees below the horizon and 90 minutes is equal to 19.78 degrees below the horizon. He personally rules that one should be strict for both of these opinions for Deoritta halachas and those derabbanan halachas where safek is lechumra. He tries to prove that this is the opinion of the Mishna Brurah (92:3, Beiur Halacha 163:1 s.v. Berachok). However, he totally rejects the opinion that [[Alot HaShachar]] is 120 minutes before sunrise. [It is noteworthy that astronomical dawn is the time when the Sun is at 18 degrees below the horizon and before then the sky is absolutely dark ([timeanddate.com https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/different-types-twilight.html]).] | ||
