When Does Shabbat End?
Introduction
There are a number of different positions regarding what is the amount of time that exists between sunset late Shabbat afternoon and when Shabbat ends. The Shulchan Aruch is of the opinion that Shabbat ends when one is able to see three small stars in the sky that are close in proximity to one another [1]. This is the widely accepted definition of when Shabbat ends, though there are a variety of opinions as to when this phenomenon actually occurs in a way that is halachically significant enough to end Shabbat. Most of these opinions can be subcategorized in one of two major methods of calculation: an astronomical based method or a time based method.
The Astronomical Method
The astronomical method uses the time that it takes to see three small stars in Israel and position of the sun relative to the horizon at that time to extrapolate when Shabbat should end for the rest of the world. In Jerusalem, during the Tishrei and Nissan equinoxes, it takes approximately 36 minutes after sunset to see these three stars in the sky. At this time, the sun is 8.5 degrees below the horizon. Therefore, Shabbat ends when the sun is 8.5 degrees below the horizon, post-sunset, in every other location in the world. [2]
In light of this determination, the amount of time after sunset when Shabbat will end will vary from place to place in the world.
The Time Based Method
- According to Sephardim, a Yireh Shamayim should be strict to refrain from Melacha until 72 minutes after sunset like Rabbenu Tam.[3] These 72 minutes are proportional to the length of the day, and do not depend on current location.[4]
- According to Sephardim, it is permitted for someone who keeps Rabbenu Tam time to ask someone who doesn't keep Rabbenu Tam time to do Melacha for him.[5]
Sources
- ↑ Shulchan Aruch, O"C 293:2 The Bei'ur Halacha (ibid.) is of the opinion that even Rabbeinu Tam, who holds that Shabbat should end 72 minutes after sunset (the time it takes to walk 4 mil), would concede that if three small stars in close proximity to each other are visible, Shabbat is over even if 72 minutes have not yet elapsed. This is in contrast to Rav Ovadiah Yosef (Shu"t Yabia Omer 2:21) and the Orot HaChaim's opinion that Rabbeinu Tam and Shulchan Aruch are really stating the same position. The Orot HaChaim explains that the stars being mentioned in the Shulchan Aruch are ones that are closer to the western horizon where the sun sets, which apparently take longer to become visible.
- ↑ Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky, Sefer Bein HaShemashot. Berur Halacha (Zilber) Tinyana Siman
- ↑ Yalkut Yosef 293:3
- ↑ Zmanim KHalacha, page 43, quoting Hacham Ovadia zt"l. Hence, 72 minutes would be 1.2 multiplied by the day's shaa zmanit.
- ↑ Yalkut Yosef 293:11
