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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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# 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. | # 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 approximately 16.1º below the horizon at that time. By converting ''mil'' into degrees, these measurements can be adapted to any locale and for any time of the year.<ref>Dvar Yom (English) Chap.7</ref> | # 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 approximately 16.1º below the horizon at that time. By converting ''mil'' into degrees, these measurements can be adapted to any locale and for any time of the year.<ref>Dvar Yom (English) Chap.7, in paragraph 24 he writes that even those who offer other methods for calculating ''alot'', such as ''shaot zmaniot'', agree that when light is visible on the horizon it is ''alot hashachar.'' According to this, one relying on ''shaot zmaniot'' must be stringent using both degrees and ''shaot zmaniot.'' For example, on January 1st in Jerusalem, 16.1 degrees is 5:22, and 72 minutes ''shaot zmaniot'' is 5:38 (see Zemanei Halacha pg.34). If one is fasting and would like to eat before the fast, they would have to stop eating at 5:22 because at that time light is visible on the horizon. However, if one would like to say Hallel one would have to wait until 5:38 which is the halachic time of ''alot'' using ''shaot zmaniot.'' </ref> | ||
# The conversion of ''mil'' into degrees is as follows. (This is the number of degrees that the sun is below the horizon in Israel on the equinox at each time.) | # The conversion of ''mil'' into degrees is as follows. (This is the number of degrees that the sun is below the horizon in Israel on the equinox at each time.) | ||
##At 120 minutes the sun is 25.9º below the horizon.<ref>Zmanei Hahalacha Lmaaseh p. 18</ref> | ##At 120 minutes the sun is 25.9º below the horizon.<ref>Zmanei Hahalacha Lmaaseh p. 18</ref> | ||
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##At 72 minutes the sun is 16.1º below the horizon.<ref>Zmanei Hahalacha Lmaaseh p. 18</ref> | ##At 72 minutes the sun is 16.1º below the horizon.<ref>Zmanei Hahalacha Lmaaseh p. 18</ref> | ||
===== Shaot Zmaniot ===== | |||
#Some hold that alot follows the times is determined by degrees below horizon. There are three opinions about the measure of the mil and therefore, there are three opinions of when Alot is 120, 90, and 72 zmaniot minutes.<ref>Zmanei Hahalacha Lmaaseh p. 18</ref> | |||
#Some hold that | |||
'''Fixed Minutes''' | '''Fixed Minutes''' | ||
