Reference of Measurements in Halacha

From Halachipedia

Kezayit

  1. According to Ashkenazim, all sizes are measured in volume and not weight. [1]However, according to Sephardim the actual halacha is that measures are in volume but the minhag is to follow the measures in weight. [2]
  2. There’s a dispute in the Rishonim whether the Kezayit (olive size) is a half or third of a KeBeytzah (egg size), and the halacha follows the opinion that a Kezayit is half a KeBeytzah. [3]
  3. According to Rav Chaim Noeh, the Kezayit for Deoritta measures (eating Matzah) and Bracha Achrona is 25.6 cc (in volume). Nonetheless because food stuck in between one's teeth doesn't count towards a Kezayit eaten one should make sure to have 28.8 cc. Regarding a Kezayit for derabbanan measures (eating maror) the Kezayit is 17.3 cc. [4] The Chazon Ish’s opinion is that the Kezayit is 33.3 grams (1.3 oz). [5]
  4. The minhag of the world and many other authorities is to follow Rav Chaim Noeh’s opinion. [6]
  5. If one ate between a third and a half a KeBaytzah one should not make a Bracha achrona because of safek Brachot. Therefore, one should have less than a third and not make a Bracha achrona or more than a half and make a Bracha achrona. [7]
  6. On Mitzvot Deoritta such as eating Matzah one must be strict to hold a Kezayit is a half a Kebaytzah. However, regarding מצות Derabbanan it’s preferable to hold that a Kezayit is a half a kebaytzah, however, one may rely on the opinion that a Kezayit is a third a kebaytzah. [8]

Kedi Achilat Pras

  1. See Kedi Achilat Pras (the time in which a Kezayit is considered eaten together)

KeBaytzah

  1. According to Rav Chaim Noeh, the KeBaytzah is 55cc and according to the Chazon Ish is 100cc. [9]

Amah, Tefach, Etzbah

  1. According to Rav Moshe Feinstein, the Amah is 21.25 inches (53.98 centimeters), the Tefach is 3.54 inches (9.00 centimeters), and the Etzbah is 0.89 inches (2.25 centimeters). [10]
  2. According to Rav Chaim Noeh, the Amah is 18.90 inches (48 centimeters), the Tefach is 3.15 inches (8 centimeters), and the Etzbah is 0.79 inches (2 centimeters) [11]
  3. According to the Chazon Ish, the Amah is 24 inches (60.96 centimeters), the Tefach is 4 inches (10.16 centimeters), and the Etzbah is 1 inch (2.54 centimeters). [12]

Reviyit

  1. A Reviyit is a Kebaytzah and a half. [13] Therefore, according to Rav Chaim Noeh, the Reviyit is 86 grams (3 oz) and according to the Chazon Ish the Reviyit is 150 grams (5.3 oz). [14]

Kedi Shtiyat Reviyit

  1. See Kedi Shtiyat Reviyit (the time in which a Reviyit is considered drunk together)

Prutah

  1. A prutah is 1/40 of a gram of silver (which is about a few cents). However, the prutah with regards to the mitzvah of returning a lost object is discussed here. [15]

Shaot Zmaniot

  1. Shaot Zmaniot are halachic hours which are calculated by dividing the daytime hours into 12. There’s a dispute of how to measure the day; some count the day from Olot Shachar until Tzet HaKochavim (Magan Avraham) [16], and some count it from Netz until Shekiah (Gra).[17]
    1. According to Sephardim, regarding Deoritta laws (including Kiryat Shema) one should be strict for the opinion of the Magen Avraham. [18]
    2. Among Ashkenazim, some are strict to hold like the Magen Avraham, unless there is an serious need, in which case one may hold like the Gra. [19]However, some are lenient to rely on the Gra. [20]

Olot HaShachar

  1. Many rishonim hold that Olot HaShachar is 72 minutes before sunrise on a perfect day in Jerusalem which is equivalent to when the sun is 16 degrees below the horizon for everywhere in the world, however, others hold that Olot HaShachar is 90 minutes on a perfect day which is 19.78 degrees below the horizon. [21]

MeSheyakir

  1. There is a wide range of opinions precisely when Misheyakir occurs in Jerusalem on a perfect day, when there is exactly 12 daylight hours and every seasonal hour consists of 60 minutes. The three opinions include: 35 minutes before sunrise,[22] 60 minutes before sunrise,[23] and 66 minutes before sunrise.[24]
  2. The various opinions would then have to be extrapolated according to the region of the world and time of year.[25] Thus, according to the commonly accepted opinion that Meshiyakir is between 50 and 60 minutes before sunrise in Jerusalem - In New York, depending on the time of the year, it could be anywhere from 56-73 minutes before sunrise.[26]

Netz HaChama (Sunrise)

  1. Netz HaChama is sunrise which, in general, is halachically the same as the astronomical calculation of sunrise.[27]

Shekiyah (Sunset)

  1. Shekiyah is sunset which , in general,is halachically the same as the astronomical calculation of sunset. [28]

Tzet HaCochavim (Emergence of the stars)

  1. There's a major dispute when Tzet HaCochavim is: Rabbenu Tam assumes that it's about 72 minutes after Shekiyah and the Gra assumes that it's three quarters of a mil after Shekiyah, varying according to one's locations. [29]

References

  1. ↑ Mishna Brurah 456:3, Vezot HaBracha (pg 6)
  2. ↑ Yalkut Yosef (Klalei Brachot pg 195-202) discusses this at length
  3. ↑ S”A 486 rules like Tosfot and not the Rambam that the Kezayit is half a Kebaytzah and not a third.
  4. ↑ Shiurei Torah (by Rav Chaim Noeh, Siman 3 Seif 13 pg 191)
  5. ↑ Vezot HaBracha (pg 6)
  6. ↑ Vezot HaBracha (pg 6, Birur 1, pg 221) in name of Rav Elyashiv and Rav Shlomo Zalman that one may follow Rav Chaim Noeh’s opinion and there’s no need to be strict for the Chazon Ish’s opinion. Vezot HaBracha also mentions that such is the minhag of the world.
  7. ↑ Mishna Brurah 486:1
  8. ↑ Mishna Brurah 486:1
  9. ↑ Vezot HaBracha pg 6
  10. ↑ Sh”t Igrot Moshe O”C 1:136. writes that the Amah is 21.25 inches and one can be strict to hold that it is 23 inches.
  11. ↑ Shiurei Torah (by Rav Chaim Noeh, Siman 3 Seif 25 pg 249)
  12. ↑ Shiurin shel Torah (pg 3) by the Steipler quoting the Chazon Ish but admitting that these are approximate measures because of the need to publicize the measures but not an accurate calculation.
  13. ↑ Mishna Brurah 486:1
  14. ↑ Vezot HaBracha (pg 6)
  15. ↑ S”A CM 88:1 says a prutah is a half of a pearl of barley. Shiurei Torah (Rav Chaim Noeh pg 177) and Shiurei HaMitzvot (Chazon Ish pg 65) say a prutah is 1/40 of a gram of silver (which currently is about 2.3 cents). Halachos of Chanuka (Rabbi Shimon Eider, pg 38) quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein saying that a prutah is 2 or 3 cents and not just one penny. See Halachos of Other People’s Money (Rabbi Bodner pg 150) who quotes Rav Moshe regarding a prutah for the mitzvah of returning a lost object.
  16. ↑ Many authorities holds that the halachic hours in the day are considered from Olot including: Sh”t Trumat HaDeshen 1, Levush 267, Minchat Cohen (Mevoh Shemesh 2:6) in name of Tosfot Ramban and Rashba, Bach (431), Taz 433, Pri Chadash 443, Magan Avraham 58:1, 433:3, Eliyah Raba 58:2, Mizbe’ach Adama 4a, Mikraeh Kodesh 158b, Mateh Yehuda 433, Sh”t Chaim Shal 2:38(70), Tov Ayin 18:38, Sh”t Teshuva MaAhava 1:25, Shalmei Tzibbur 93c, Chesed Alafim 58:5, Chaye Adam 21:3,27:1, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 17:1, Magan Giborim (Shiltei Hagiborim 58:3), and Rav Poalim O”C 2:2.
  17. ↑ Many authorities hold that the halachic hours of the day are considered to begin from Netz incluing: Rambam’s Sh”t Pear Hadar 44 (as understood by Halacha Brurah (Shaar Tzion 58:17), Rav Chaim Drok (Noam 9 pg 235), and Orot Chaim 320 against the Yetsiat Mitzmayim (Sefaka Deyoa pg 115)), Siddur Rav Sadyah Goan pg 12, Minchat Cohen Mevoh Hashemesh 2:6 in name of Goanim, Rambam, Rabbenu Yonah, Hagot Maimon, and Mordechai (Pri Chadash rejects his proofs), Shiltei Hagiborim on the Mordechai (Brachot 4:3) (as understood by Magan Avraham 233:3, Shaar Tzion 233:10, and Kaf HaChaim 233:7), Levush (233:1,267), Shaarei Knesset Hagedolah 58:8, Tosfot Yom Tov (Pesachim 2:3), and Biur HaGra 459:2.
  18. ↑ In conclusion, Minchat Cohen (Mevoh Hashemesh 2:9), Erech HaShulchan 433, Halichot Olam (vol 1, Vaera 3), and Yalkut Yosef (vol 1, pg 98) write that one should be strict for the opinion of the Magen Avraham for Deoritta issues, for example Kiryat Shema.
  19. ↑ 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.
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑
    • 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, Biur Halacha 163:1 D"H Berachok). However, he totally rejects the opinion that Olot HaShachar is 120 minutes before sunrise.
    • He also quotes Rabbi Tukachinsky who held like the opinion of 90 minutes.
    • Rav Hershel Schachter on yutorah.org (min 65-7) says that we assume that Olot HaShachar is 72 minutes before sunrise, varying according to one’s location. Similarly, Rav Yisrael Belsky (OU Kosher Webcast, 2011, min 19-21) mentioned in passing that Olot HaShachar is assumed to be 72 minutes before sunrise, varying according to the longitude and latitude.
  22. ↑ Rav Moshe Feinstein in Le-Torah ve-Hora'ah Vol. 3:7 hold of 35 minutes. Zmanei Halacha LeMaaseh (pg 19) holds of 40 minutes before sunrise.
  23. ↑ 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.
  24. ↑ Rav Ovadya Yoseh in Yechaveh Daat 2:8
  25. ↑
    • 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.
    • A common solution would be to use seasonal minutes. In order to calculate a seasonal hour, one would need to add up all the daytime minutes and then divide by 12 to get the number of minutes that are in each seasonal hour. For instance, if there were 11 hours of daylight, each seasonal hour would consist of 55 minutes. To further complicate matters, there are two ways of counting the daytime minutes: The Magen Avraham counts from dawn until nightfall with the emergence of 3 stars, whereas the Gra counts from sunrise to sunset.
    • Another means for calculation, which has only recently been implemented, is to compare the level of brightness by using the relative position of the sun. For instance, it has been determined that 60 minutes before sunrise on a perfect day in Jerusalem the sun is 12.9 degrees below the horizon. Therefore, if one wanted to find the equivalent time anywhere in the world during any season, he would simply determine at what time the sun will be 12.9 degrees below the horizon in that locale on that day and that would be the extrapolated Meshiyakir.
  26. ↑ MyZmanim.com. These figures are determined using MyZmanim’s earliest published position of 11.5 degrees below the horizon. Unfortunately, MyZmanim.com only offers calculations based upon 10.2 degrees, 11 degrees, and 11.5 degrees but not 12.9 degrees. It is unfortunate because 12.9 degrees correlates to Rav Tukaczinsky’s 60 minutes before sunrise which, although is a very lenient position is also well collaborated and accepted.
    • Rav Yisrael Belsky (OU Kosher Webcast, 2011, min 21-23) mentions in passing that MeSheYakir is about 40 or 50 minutes before sunrise.
    • Rav Hershel Schachter on yutorah.org (min 68-70) says that Rav Moshe held MeSheYakir is between 35-40 minutes before sunrise and seems to agree with him, although he mentions that some say it’s 55 minutes before sunrise.
  27. ↑
    • Rav Hershel Schachter on yutorah.org (min 69-72) says that sunrise is the same as the sunrise calculated by the naval observatory which is when the sun begins to rise.
    • Rav Hershel Schachter on yutorah.org (min 72-77) says that sunset should be determined as though the mountains to the east and west are at sea level and do not block the visibility of the sun. However, the elevation of the place one is currently located is taken into consideration and if one is in a valley the sunset is a little later (less than 5 minutes) than what would have been visible. Yet, he adds, that most opinions hold that regarding sunrise both one’s location’s elevation and surrounding mountains are taken into consideration.
  28. ↑ Rav Hershel Schachter on yutorah.org (min 69-72) says that sunset is the same as the sunset calculated by the naval observatory which is when the sun has completely set.
  29. ↑ Rabbi Hershel Schachter on yutorah.org (min 43-5) explains that many practice like the Gra regarding Tzet HaCochavim on Motzei Shabbat. See Biur HaGra and Mishna Brurah 261. Pri Megadim assumes that according to Rabbenu Tam, 72 minutes is a fixed time, but Mishna Brurah writes that it varies according to one's location.
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