Reference of Measurements in Halacha

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There are many different measurements used in the Torah and classical Rabbinic Seforim, which are important for daily living. An example is the specific amount of wine that Kiddush is made on: One Revi'it. If one doesn't know how much a Revi'it is, how can one fulfill the Mitzvah properly? The modern day equivalents for many Hebrew measurements are discussed below. In addition, discussed below are many Halachic times which also matter for everyday use.

Food or Drink

Kezayit

Opinions Kezayit (cm3)
Rav Mordechai Willig[1] 22.5
Rav Chaim Noeh[2] 27
Rav Moshe Feinstein[3] 31.2
Chazon Ish[4] 33.3
  1. According to Ashkenazim, all sizes are measured in volume and not weight.[5] However, according to Sephardim the actual halacha is that measures are in volume but the minhag is to follow the measures in weight. [6]
  2. There’s a dispute in the Rishonim whether the Kezayit (olive size) is a half or third of a KeBaytzah (egg size), and regarding Bracha Achrona and Deoritta Mitzvot, the halacha follows the opinion that a Kezayit is half a KeBeytzah. [7]
  3. According to Rav Chaim Noeh, the Kezayit for Deoritta measures (eating Matzah) and Bracha Achrona is 27cc. The Chazon Ish’s opinion is that the Kezayit is 33.3 grams (1.3 oz).[8]
    1. The minhag of the world and many other authorities is to follow Rav Chaim Noeh’s opinion.[9]
  4. 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.[10]
  5. 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. [11]
  6. One needs to make sure that he does not count air in the food as part of the shiur of kezayis. If one has a food that is hollow, a kezayis of that food is considered when the food would be pressed.[12]
  7. For more opinions of kezayit see: OU's article on Kezayit.

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, it is 100cc. [13]

Revi'it

  1. A Reviyit is a KeBaytzah and a half.[14] Therefore, Rav Chaim Noeh holds that the Reviyit is 86 grams (3 oz),[15] the Chazon Ish holds that the Reviyit is 150 grams (5.3 oz).[16], and some quote Rav Moshe as saying the Revi'it is 3.3 oz.[17]
  2. With regards to drinking the four cups of wine, see the Required Amount of Matzah and Wine for the Seder page.

Kedei Shtiyat Reviyit

  1. See Kedei Shtiyat Revi'it (the time in which a Revi'it is considered drunk together).

Ayfah, Seah, Kav, Log

Shiur[18] Ayfah Seah Kav Log Kebeytzah Kezayit cm3 inch3
Ayfah 1 3 18 72 432 864 23328 1424
Seah 1/3 1 6 24 144 288 7776 475
Kav 1/18 1/6 1 4 24 48 1296 79
Log 1/72 1/24 1/4 1 6 12 324 20
Kebeytzah 1/432 1/144 1/24 1/6 1 2 54 3.3
Kezayit 1/864 1/288 1/48 1/12 1/2 1 27 1.6
  1. For example the average apple's volume is 104.5 cm3 which is 3.9 kezaytim.[19]

Length

Amah, Tefach, Etzbah

Amah Tefach Etzbah
Rav Moshe Feinstein[20] 21.25 in. (53.98 cm) 3.54 in. (9.00 cm) 0.89 in. (2.25 cm)
Rav Chaim Noeh[21] 18.90 in. (48 cm) 3.15 in. (8 cm) 0.79 in. (2 cm)
Chazon Ish[22] 22.72 in. (57.72 cm) 3.79 in. (9.62 cm) 0.95 in. (2.41 cm)

When measuring an amount that would be a stringency to use a larger measure, the poskim have slightly larger measures. They are 1/48 larger than the above measures.[23]

Larger Measures Amah Tefach Etzbah
Rav Moshe Feinstein[24] 21.69 in. (55.10 cm) 3.62 in. (9.18 cm) 0.90 in. (2.30 cm)
Rav Chaim Noeh[25] 19.29 in. (49 cm) 3.22 in. (8.17 cm) 0.80 in. (2.04 cm)
Chazon Ish[26] 23.20 in. (58.92 cm) 3.87 in. (9.82 cm) 0.97 in. (2.46 cm)

Distance of Mil

  2. When Mil is given in terms of distance it is equal to 2000 Amot.[27]

Money

Coin[28] Sela Dinar Maah Pundiyon Isur Prutah
Sela 1 4 24 48 96 768
Dinar 1/4 1 6 12 24 192
Maah 1/24 1/6 1 2 4 32
Pundiyon 1/48 1/12 1/2 1 2 16
Isur 1/96 1/24 1/4 1/2 1 8
Prutah 1/768 1/192 1/32 1/16 1/8 1

Prutah

  1. A prutah is 1/40 of a gram of silver, which today is equal to 2.46 cents.[29] However, the prutah with regards to the mitzvah of returning a lost object is discussed here.[30]

Dinar

  1. A dinar is 192 pruta's or 4.8 grams of silver.[31]

Asara Zehuvim

  1. If someone steals someone else's mitzvah they should pay them the 10 zehuvim, which is equal to 1200 grams of silver (roughly $650 but varies).[32]

Time

Generally, one can search for zmanim on myzmanim.com and for a time according to degrees below horizon anywhere in the world on suncalc.org.

Shaot Zmaniot

  1. Shaot zmaniot are halachic hours which are calculated by dividing the daytime hours into 12.[33]
  2. Chazon Ish explains the reason that halachic hours are divided based on the daylight hours and are not 60-minute hours. Chazal did not establish halachic hours as an entity of themselves; rather, they were designed as a description of when mitzvot may be done. For example: kriat shema must be said before a quarter of the day has passed; chazal divided the day into hours to illustrate that time. Since the time for mitzvot is based on the length of daylight, the clearest way to depict this is with shaot zmaniyot. It was chazal's decision whether to make these 12 hours of daylight run from alot to tzet, or from hanetz to shkiya. What their conclusion was is the subject of great debate.[34]
  3. There’s a dispute of how to measure the day; some count the day from alot hashachar until tzet hakochavim (Magen Avraham) [35], and some count it from hanetz until shekiah (Gra).[36]
    1. According to Sephardim, regarding Biblical laws (including kriyat shema) one should be strict for the opinion of the Magen Avraham. [37]
    2. 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. [38] However, some are lenient to rely on the Gra. [39]
  4. Besides making a difference as to when the day starts and ends, this dispute will affect the length of a halachic hour as well. Take for example a day which is 12 hours from shkiya until tzet, and let us assume for a moment that there are 72 minutes between both alot to hanetz and shkiya until tzet. According to the Gra, a halachic hour will be 60 minutes, and according to the Magen Avrohom it will be 72 minutes.
  5. To illustrate the implication of this dispute let us take zman kriat shema for example. Zman krias shema is at the end of the third hour of the day. According to the Gra these hours are measured beginning at hanetz and are 60 minutes long; the end of zman kriat shema will be 180 minutes after hanetz. According to the Magen Avraham the hours are measured from alot and are 72 minutes long; zman kriat shema will be 216 minutes after alot. Subtract 72 from 216 to find that the end of zman kriat shema according to the Magen Avraham is 144 minutes after hanetz - this is 36 minutes before the zman of the Gra.[40]
  6. There are rishonim and poskim who maintain that most shaot are shaot shavot - of equal time - 60-minute hours.[41] 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.[42]

Time period of Mil

  1. 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.
    1. Some consider a mil to be 18 minutes, some 22.5 minutes, and some 24 minutes.[43]
      1. Shulchan Aruch writes that it takes 18 minutes to walk a mil.[44]
      2. Biur Halacha writes that some give an amount of 22.5 minutes.[45]
      3. There are others quoted by Biur Halacha who maintain that the amount is 24 minutes.[46][47]

Alot HaShachar

Opinions for the time of Alot Hashachar

  1. There is a debate in the Gemara whether the time from alot hasachar until sunrise is 4 mil or 5 mil.[48]
  2. 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.
  3. 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.[49]
  4. 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.[50]
  5. 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.[51][52][53]

Applying these Times

  1. There are three methods in the poskim as to the practical application of the aforementioned times: degrees, shaot zmaniot, shaot shavot.
Degrees
  1. The time of alot hashachar refers to an astronomical event in which the light from the sun first becomes visible on the horizon.[54] 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, many poskim write, that alot cannot be calculated by time; rather, it must be based on the position of the sun below the horizon. The first light always appears when the sun is a certain number of degrees below the horizon.
  2. According to this, the measurements given in mil actually refer to degrees. In other words, when the poskim write that alot occurs 72 minutes before sunrise they do not mean to say that the first light appears 72 minutes before sunrise in every locale, on every day of the year. Rather, they are discussing the time of alot in Israel or Bavel on the equinox at which time the sun is approximately 16.1º below the horizon. By converting mil into degrees, we are merely conveying the "72 minutes" to apply them to any locale and for any time of the year.[55]
  3. 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.)
    1. At 120 minutes the sun is 25.9º below the horizon.[56]
    2. At 90 minutes the sun is 19.75º below the horizon.[57]
    3. At 72 minutes the sun is 16.1º below the horizon.[58]
Shaot Zmaniot
  1. Some hold that the times given are the actual times for alot; yet they are not measured in terms of a 60 minute hour (shaot shavot); rather, in terms of halachic hours (shaot zmaniot). For example, on a day that there are 16 hours of daylight, each halachic hour is actually 80 minutes.[59] Taking such a day for example we could calculate the time of alot in shaot zmaniot with the following table:
    1. 120 minutes = 160 minutes
    2. 90 minutes = 120 minutes
    3. 72 minutes = 96 minutes
Fixed Minutes
  1. Some hold that alot is determined by fixed minutes.[60] There are three opinions as to the measure of the mil and therefore, there are three opinions of when Alot is:
    1. 120 minutes fixed before Netz.[61]
    2. 90 minutes fixed before Netz.[62]
    3. 72 minutes fixed before Netz.[63]
Minhag Sephardim
  1. According to Sephardim, alot hashachar is 72 seasonal minutes before sunrise.[64] These minutes are proportional to the length of the day,[65] and do not depend on current location.[66]

Misheyakir

  1. 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.[67]
  2. 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,[68] 60 minutes before sunrise,[69] and 66 minutes before sunrise.[70]
  3. The various opinions would then have to be adapted for other regions and for different times of year.[71] Thus, according to the commonly accepted opinion that misheyakir is between 50 and 60 minutes before sunrise in Jerusalem, in New York, it could be anywhere from 56-73 minutes before sunrise.[72]

HaNetz HaChama (Sunrise)

  1. HaNetz HaChama is sunrise which is halachically the same as the astronomical calculation of sunrise.[73] This is the standard time printed for netz such as on myzmanim.com.

Chatzot

  1. Chatzot is midday and midnight, always separated by 12 hours.[74] This is calculated as halfway between sunrise and sunset, meaning 6 halachic hours after sunrise, see myzmanim.com[75]

Mincha Gedola

Regarding all of the times for mincha see the mincha page.

  1. Mincha gedola is six and a half halachic hours (shaot zmaniot) after sunrise.[76]

Mincha Ketana

  1. Mincha ketana is nine and a half halachic hours (shaot zmaniot) after sunrise.[77]

Plag Hamincha

  1. Plag hamincha is 10.45 hours into the day.[78] 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.[79]

Shekiyah (Sunset)

  1. Shekiyah is sunset which, in general, is halachically the same as the astronomical calculation of sunset. [80]

Bein HaShemashot and Tzet Hakochavim

  1. The Gemara relates, that there is a halachic period of time during twilight called "bein hashmashot." This period of time is, halachically, a mix of day and night. Before that time it is day and after which it is night.[81][82]
  2. There is a great dispute regarding the time for bein hashmashot and the time for tzet hakochavim with many ramifications in halacha. The geonim write that bein hashmashot begins at sunset and lasts for 0.75 mil at which time it is tzet hakochavim.[83] Rabbenu Tam was of the opinion that bein hashmashot begins 3.25 mil after sunset and lasts for 0.75 mil at which time it is tzet hakochavim.[84][85][86]
  3. Just as by alot hashachar, there is a dispute among the poskim as to the value of a mil and the amount of mil between alot and hanetz, so too, this dispute applies regarding tzet hakochavim.[87]
  4. Similarly, just as by alot there is a dispute as to whether the time is measured in degrees, shaot shavot, or shaot zmaniot; that dispute applies regarding tzet hakochavim as well.[88]
  5. Because of all these factors, there are different customs as to the time of bein hashmashot and tzet hakochvim.
  6. Nowadays there is a widespread minhag to start bein hashmashot at shkiya in accordance with the zman of the geonim.[89]
  7. The time for tzet hakochavim is a bit more complicated because neither the time of Rabbenu Tam or the time of geonim coincide with the time that the stars actually become visible. There are explanations given both according to Rabbenu Tam and the geonim that the time for tzet hakochavim is ultimately dependent on the appearance of three stars.[90] Thus, there are generally two minhagim as to when tzet hakochavim is.[91]
    1. With the appearance of 3 stars.[92]
      1. There are many opinions as to the number of degrees that the sun must be below the horizon for 3 medium stars to appear. They range between 5.7º and 8.1º.[93]
      2. For ending Shabbat, the Shulchan Aruch rules that, to avoid mistakes, one must be stringent and wait until 3 small stars are visible. The shiur for this time was set by Rav Tukatzinski at 8.5º.[94] Most calendars both in Israel and abroad (who are not using 72 minutes fixed) use this measurement.[95]
        1. In Israel this shiur results in Shabbat ending between 36 - 42 minutes after shkiya depending on the time of year.[96]
        2. In New York this shiur results in the end of Shabbat ranging from 41 - 52 minutes after shkiya, depending on the time of year.[97]
    2. 72 minutes fixed.[98][99]

Miscellaneous

Toch Kedei Dibbur

  1. Kedei Dibbur is the time it takes to say Shalom Alecha Rebbe,[100] which is about 2 seconds.
  2. Toch Kedei Dibbur is less than the time it takes to say Shalom Alecha Rebbe.[101]

Kdei Aniva

  1. There are several opinions about how long Kdei Aniva is, however, one doesn't need to be strict to consider it to be longer than 2 gudalin. [102]
  2. How long is the shiur of 2 godlin in practical terms? Chazon Ish : 5 cm, Rav Chaim Naeh: 4 cm. Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (comments to Kitzur 9:13) writes that Kedi Anivah is 4 cm.

Yad Soledet Bo

  1. For purposes of cooking on Shabbat and Kashrut, Yad Soledet Bo is certainly hotter than 113 degrees Fahrenheit. [103] Others are concerned for anything over 110 degrees Fahrenheit and over 160 degrees is certainly yad soledet bo. [104]

Links

Sources

  1. ↑ Rav Mordechai Willig (Pesach To-Go, Nisan 5771, p. 60) is of the opinion that the size in volume of a kezayis is 22.5 cubic centimeters. His calculations are primarily based on Rav Hadar Margolin.
  2. ↑ Rav Chaim Noeh in Shiurei Torah (3:11, pg 191, 5707) writes that for Deoritta Mitzvot one should eat 28.8cc, however, in Shiurei Tzion (p. 70, 5709) he writes that it is 27cc. Vezot HaBracha (Birur Halacha 1) explains that Rav Chaim Noeh retracted from his original ruling.
  3. ↑ Vezot HaBracha (Birur Halacha 1) quotes Haggadat Kol Dodi which quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein as saying that a Kezayit is 31.2cc.
  4. ↑ Steipler in Shiurin Shel Torah (second edition, 5750, pp. 65-6; first edition, 5716, pp. 86-7) quotes the Chazon Ish that a Kezayit is 2/3 of a modern egg and an egg today measures between 45-50 grams. At most, the kezayit would be 33.3 grams. Vezot HaBracha (Birur Halacha 1:3) records this opinion of the Chazon Ish as 33.3cc for a Kezayit. The Chazon Ish's opinion of Kezayit is partially based on the opinion of the Tzlach who doubles today's eggs to figure out a kebaytzeh (Chazon Ish OC 39:6). However, the Chazon Ish also holds that the kezayit is only 1/3 of a kebeytzeh like the Rambam (Chazon Ish OC 39:17).
  5. ↑ Mishna Brurah 456:3, Vezot HaBracha (pg 6)
  6. ↑ See Yalkut Yosef (Klalei Brachot pg 195-202) who discusses this at length. However, see Or Letzion (Vol. 3, Introduction) who argues that the custom to use weight is only for foods which have similar density to water, but for other foods (like Matza) one would use volume. Halacha Brurah 210:2 rules that the kezayit is measured by volume and not weight. See Otzrot Yosef 8:9.
  7. ↑ *Mishna Brurah 486:1 writes that the Tosfot holds a Kezayit is half of a KeBeitzah with the shell and the Rambam holds it is a third of a KeBeitzah (see Tosfot (Yoma 80b s.v. Vshiuro), Rambam (Eiruvin 1:9)). Shulchan Aruch O.C. 486 adopts Tosfot. Rav Avraham Chaim Noeh (Shiurei Torah 3:12) argues that Tosfot holds half a KeBeitzah without the shell.
    • What's the halacha? Mishna Brurah 486:1 rules that for Deoritta Mitzvot and Bracha Achrona, one should eat the size of half a KeBeitzah, but for Derabbanan Mitzvot, one third suffices. He adds that since one has to make a Bracha on maror, one should eat half a KeBeitzah.
    • Chazon Ish OC 39:17 decided that we could be lenient like the Rambam. See below for an exact amount according to Chazon Ish.
    • Background: According to the Ri (Tosfot Yoma 80b) a kezayit is equal to half an egg. He is based on the gemara Yoma 80a that a person can swallow an egg one time and Keritut that a person can swallow two olives at one time. According to the Rambam it is less than a third of an egg. The Rambam holds like Rabbi Yochanan Ben Broka who says that two meals is the volume of 6 eggs (Eruvin 82b) and two meal is also equal to 18 dates (Eruvin 80b). Since the date is bigger than an olive (Yoma 79b) the kezayit is less than a third of an egg. According to rabbenu tam it is less than 30% of an egg. Gra 486 answers the questions for each approach. Rabbenu Tam says we follow Rabbi Shimon who holds that two meals is 5.33 eggs (Eruvin 38b) since according to him the general amount of a loaf is 8 eggs which is broadly accepted in gemara as the primary volume for tumat ochlin which is 1/8 of a loaf. Since two meals is 18 dates (Eruvin 80b) and a date is larger than an olive (Yoma 79b) the olive must be less than 8/27 of an egg. Gra 486 explains each opinion in depth. He answers why the Rambam wasn’t concerned about tumat ochlin since the gemara was discussing an egg without a peel which is 66% the size of a regular egg and the size of an egg for tumat ochlin isn’t precise. That also answers the discrepancy of whether a person can swallow two olives or an egg, the egg discussed is an egg without a peel. He also adds that the Rambam held like Rabbi Yochanan Ben Broka because the Mishna in Peah 8:6 follows his opinion but Tosfot argue that Peah which is biblical isn’t a proof for the size of a meal for eruvin which is rabbinic.
  8. ↑ *The Tzlach (Pesachim 116b s.v. vhoil) holds that the modern day eggs are half the size of those in the days of Chazal. However, Rav Noeh (Shiurei Torah Shaar 3) argues that the modern day eggs have not changed from the days of Chazal. Mishna Brurah 486:1 writes that for the mitzvah deoraitta of matza, one should follow the stringent view of the Tzlach. See Rav Shlomo Wahrman (Orot Haesach 28) who explains why there is no need to say that the eggs have shrunk since the times of the Gemara. See also Maaseh Rav 74, where it says that the Gra accepted the position of the Tzlach.
    • Practically, how much is a Kezayit?
      • (1) Rav Chaim Noeh in Shiurei Torah (3:11, pg 191, 5707) writes that for Deoritta Mitzvot one should eat 28.8cc, however, in Shiurei Tzion (p. 70, 5709) he writes that it is 27cc. Vezot HaBracha (Birur Halacha 1) explains that Rav Chaim Noeh retracted from his original ruling.
      • (2) Steipler in Shiurin Shel Torah (p. 66) quotes the Chazon Ish that a Kezayit is 2/3 of a modern egg and an egg can possibly be up to 55cc. Therefore, Vezot HaBracha (Birur Halacha 1) writes that the Chazon Ish holds that 33.3cc is a Kezayit. The Chazon Ish's opinion of Kezayit is partially based on the opinion of the Tzlach. see also Chazon Ish in Hilchot Shabbat 39.
      • (3) Vezot HaBracha (Birur Halacha 1) quotes Haggadat Kol Dodi which quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein as saying that a Kezayit is 31.2cc. [However, Rabbi Bodner in Halachos of K’zayis (p. 24) writes that Rav Dovid Feinstein told him that Rav Moshe never measured the eggs himself and it was his student who calculated 1.1oz, but that if his calculations were more precise he should use those. Therefore, Rabbi Bodner rules, based on his own calculations, that a Kezayit is 27.2cc.]
      • (4) Rav Mordechai Willig (Pesach To-Go, Nisan 5771, p. 60) is of the opinion that the size in volume of a kezayis is 22.5 cubic centimeters.
      • (5) Rav Shlomo Miller (approbation to Hiddurei Hamiddot p. 80, second edition) writes that for a sick person on Pesach they can rely on the kezayit as 4/9 oz or 13.1 cc. It is based on the Ritva Brachot 1:7 and Ri Shu'iv Tzav who write that the reviyit is 2 unkeliyot and he explains that these are equivalent to modern day ounces (see Chavot Yair in Chut Hashani 97 and R' Reich in Mesoret Hashekel) and also uses the opinion that the kezayit is 1/3 of a kebeytzeh.
  9. ↑ Vezot HaBracha (pg 6, Birur 1, pg 221) quotes Rav Elyashiv and Rav Shlomo Zalman saying that for Bracha Achrona the widely accepted measurement of the Kezayit is according to Rav Chaim Noeh. Vezot HaBracha also mentions that such is the minhag of the world. Yachava Daat 1:16 accepts Rav Noeh's opinion.
  10. ↑ Mishna Brurah 486:1
  11. ↑ Mishna Brurah 486:1
  12. ↑ Rama 486:1
  13. ↑ Vezot HaBracha pg 6
  14. ↑ Mishna Brurah 486:1
  15. ↑ Shiurei Tzion (p. 69 n. 6), Shiurei Torah (p. 176 3:6)
  16. ↑ Steipler in Shiurin Shel Torah (p. 66) according to the rulings of the Chazon Ish
  17. ↑ Vezot HaBracha (Birur Halacha 1) quotes Haggadat Kol Dodi which quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein as saying that a Reviyit is 3.3 oz.
  18. ↑ Rashbam Pesachim 108b s.v. dhaynu explains that an ayfeh is three seah, which is six kav, which is four log, which is six kebeytzot. Shulchan Aruch OC 486:1 rules like Tosfot that a Kebeytzah is two kezaytim. For shiur of kezayit see #Kezayit above.
  19. ↑ https://cigrjournal.org/index.php/ejounral/article/view/1124
  20. ↑ 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. Similarly, the Aruch Hashulchan YD 286:21 writes that 4 amot is one Russian sazhen which is the equivalent of 7 feet (see Wikipedia's page on Russian measurements) meaning that the amah is 21 inches. Dr. Gideon Freedman in Kol Bramah v. 4 p. 229 proves that the Aruch Hashulchan YD 201:3 and Mishna Brurah 358:7 both hold that the amah is 21 inches. The Aruch Hashulchan says that an amah is three quarters of an arshin and an arshin is 71.12 cm. The Mishna Brurah ties 53 Russian arshins to 70.83 amot. See there for the calculations.
  21. ↑ Shiurei Torah (Siman 3 Seif 25 pg 249), Shiurei Torah (p. 71 n. 21)
  22. ↑ Shiurin Shel Torah (5750 p. 63) by the Steipler quotes the Chazon Ish as holding that the measure of the tefach is 9.62cm and when measuring with larger measures would be a stringency one should use 9.8cm. For some of the measurements there the tefach is rounded up to 10cm. Also, on p. 3 the measurements are converted to inches and it approximates the tefach as 4 inches. However, he references p. 63 for the more accurate measurements. Also, he notes that these are approximate measures, which he did because of the need to publicize the measures but not an accurate calculation.
  23. ↑ Rava in Eruvin 3b states that when measuring with a larger measure would be a stringency one should use a larger tefach, in which the etzba'ot are spaced out. However, if using a larger measure would yield a leniency the smaller measure of a tefach, with the etzba'ot measured without any space, should be used. Rashba (cited by Chidushei Hameiri Eruvin 3a, Maggid Mishna, and Beit Yosef YD 201) explains that the larger measure is 1/48 larger than the smaller measure. Rav Chaim Noeh in Shiurei Torah p. 249 and Shiurei Tzion p. 71 spells this out how the halacha follows the Rashba and does the calculation for his measurements. Steipler (Shiurin Shel Torah p. 63) does the same for his measurements also using the Rashba's conversion factor.
  24. ↑ Sh”t Igrot Moshe O”C 1:136
  25. ↑ Shiurei Torah (Siman 3 Seif 25 pg 249), Shiurei Tzion (p. 71 n. 21)
  26. ↑ Shiurin Shel Torah (p. 63).
  27. ↑ Rashi Yoma 67a s.v. shivah and Tosfot Shabbat 34b s.v. safek write that a mil is 2000 amot. Shulchan Aruch O.C. 261:2 writes that 3/4 of a mil is equal to 1500 amot, implying a mil is 2000 amot. Rabbi Melamed on yeshiva.org.il writes that a mil is 2000 amot.
  28. ↑ Gemara Kiddushin 12a
  29. ↑ This evaluation of the pruta in pennies uses the price of an ounce of silver given by a webserver with that information here.
  30. ↑ Shulchan C.M. 88:1 says a prutah is a half of a pearl of barley. Shiurei Torah (Rav Chaim Noeh pg 177) and Shiurin Shel Torah (Steipler p. 65; first edition p. 86) say a prutah is 1/40 of a gram of silver (which currently is about 2.3 cents). Rav Hadar Margoliyat in Hiddurei Hamiddot (second edition p. 252) concludes that the prutah is no more than 1/45 of a gram. Halachos of Chanukah (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.
  31. ↑ Rashi Kiddushin 12a s.v. aliba
  32. ↑ Rav Chaim Noeh (Shiurei Torah p. 379 ch. 3 n. 45) writes that the 10 zehuvim are equal to 250 silver dinar which are 1200 grams of silver.
  33. ↑ Rambam Peirush Hamishnayot Brachot 1:2 writes that all shaot in the Mishna are shaot zmaniyot. Rama 233:1 agrees. Gra on Shulchan Aruch O.C. 443 quotes this Rambam and supports his view from many sources.
  34. ↑ Chazon Ish O.C. 13 Article 1
  35. ↑ 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, Magen 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, Magen Giborim (Shiltei Hagiborim 58:3), and Rav Poalim O”C 2:2.
  36. ↑ Many authorities hold that the halachic hours of the day are considered to begin from HaNetz 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, Hagahot Maimon, and Mordechai (Pri Chadash rejects his proofs), Shiltei Hagiborim on the Mordechai (Brachot 4:3) (as understood by Magen 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.
  37. ↑ 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 Kriyat Shema.
  38. ↑ 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.
  39. ↑ 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.
  40. ↑ Dvar Yom (English) Chap. 10:7-9. Dvar Yom writes that calling this zman the zman of the Magen Avraham is actually a misnomer. See there for a full discussion.
  41. ↑ Terumas HaDeshen 121
  42. ↑ For further discussion see Ha'zmanim B'halacha Chap.12 n.11-17
  43. ↑ Shulchan Aruch O.C. 459:2 writes that the mil is 18 minutes. Rama 261:1 agrees. Beiur Halacha 459:2 s.v. Haviy quotes some who consider it 22.5 minutes and others who say that it is 24 minutes.
    • The 18 minute mil emerges from calculating that it is possible to travel 40 mil over 12 hours from netz until shekiya. On an equinox day, there are 720 minutes from sunrise until sunset, yielding a 18 minute mil (720/40=18). This is the opinion of the Rambam Pirush Mishnayot Brachot 1:1, Trumat Hadeshen, and Shulchan Aruch O.C. 459:1.
    • The 22.5 minute mil is based on the understanding that a person could walk 40 mil from olot to tzet, with 4 mil from olot until netz and 4 mil from shekiya until tzet, leaving 32 mil from netz until shekiya. Dividing up the 12 hours of the equinox day into 32 equal sections produces a 22.5 minute mil (40-4-4=32; 720/32=22.5). This is the opinion of the Gra 459:1 and Zmanim Khalacha pp. 19-20.
    • The 24 minute mil is sourced in the Rambam Korban Pesach 5:8 and Pirush Mishnayot Pesachim 9:1 who holds that a person could travel 15 mil from netz until chatzot and when doubled it emerges a person can travel 30 mil from netz until shekiya. Diving 12 hours into 30 equal parts yields a 24 minute mil (720/30=24).
  44. ↑ Shulchan Aruch O.C. 459:2
  45. ↑ Biur Halacha 459:2 s.v. Havei
  46. ↑ Biur Halacha 459:2 s.v. Havei
  47. ↑ For a further discussion as to how these times were calculated see Dvar Yom (English) Chap. 2.
  48. ↑ Pesachim 93b -94a. Ulah says that it is 5 mil while Rav Yehuda says 4 mil.
  49. ↑ Rambam Peirush Hamishnayot Brachot 1:1, Abudraham Shaar 1, Hazmanim Bhalacha Chap. 21:7 writes that this is the custom outside Israel.
  50. ↑ 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.
  51. ↑ 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
  52. ↑ Magen Avrohom 267:1 writes that there are 96 minutes between shkiya and tzet (which applies as well to the time period between alot and hanetz. This assumes that there are 4 mil each one being 24 minutes.
  53. ↑ *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]).]
    • 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 Alot HaShachar depends on degrees below horizon and the specific times vary according to one’s location. Similarly, 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.
  54. ↑ 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.
  55. ↑ 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.
    • Dvar Yom Chap. 7 footnote 58 writes that some people mistakenly think that measuring by degrees is a new invention. How is it possible that 400 years ago they were able to measure the position of the sun below the horizon? He explains that degrees is a way of calculating when the first light will appear. It is easy to understand how they calculated alot in the olden days - they watched for the first light to appear.
  56. ↑ Zmanei Hahalacha Lmaaseh p. 18
  57. ↑ Zmanei Hahalacha Lmaaseh p. 18
  58. ↑ Zmanei Hahalacha Lmaaseh p. 18
  59. ↑ Zmanei Hahalacha Lmaaseh p. 18
  60. ↑ Dvar Yom Chapter 7:19-23 raises many questions about the validity of this opinion. This, however, has become a widespread minhag in America. Kuntres Hatzad Hashaveh (pub.Mifal Talmudo Biyado) was written to uphold the minhag and its sources.
  61. ↑ Zmanei Hahalacha Lmaaseh p. 18 writes that 120 minutes fixed is based on the rishonim that a mil is 24 minutes and there is 5 mil between Alot and Netz.
  62. ↑ 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.
  63. ↑ 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.
  64. ↑ Yalkut Yosef, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Siman 58, Seif 3.
  65. ↑ Yalkut Yosef, Pesuke DeZimra and Keriat Shema, pages 432-433 based on Rambam, Perush Mishnayot, Masechet Berachot, Perek 1.
  66. ↑ 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.
  67. ↑ Dvar Yom Chap. 8:3
  68. ↑ 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.
  69. ↑ 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.
  70. ↑ Rav Ovadya Yoseh in Yechave Daat 2:8
  71. ↑ *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.
  72. ↑ 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.
  73. ↑ *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. Halacha Brurah 58:7 proves that netz is astronomical sunrise when the upper edge of the sun is on the horizon as opposed to the opinion of the Divrei Dovid 36 and Ben Ish Chai Vayishlach no. 4 that it is 2.6 minutes earlier.
    • 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.
  74. ↑ Shulchan Aruch Harav 1:8 and Birkei Yosef 1:5 write that chatzot at night is always 12 hours after chatzot of day for any place in the world. Mishna Brurah 1:9 and Chazon Ovadia (Yamim Noraim pg. 3) agree.
    • Igrot Moshe EH I:58, OC II:20, OC I:24, OC IV:62 has a different approach to measuring chatzot and shaot zmaniot. He writes that chatzot is at the same time every day and that the morning shaot zmaniot are of a different length than those of the afternoon.
  75. ↑ Chazon Ovadia Yamim Noraim pg. 3. see din.org for at length discussion.
    see however Minchat Shlomo 1:91:15 regarding the latest time to eat Afikoman on Pesach
  76. ↑ Rashi (Pesachim 107a s.v. mincha gedola), Rambam (Tefillah 3:2)
  77. ↑ Rashi (Pesachim 107b s.v. oh), Rambam (Tefillah 3:2)
  78. ↑ Gemara Brachot 26b, Shulchan Aruch O.C. 233:1
  79. ↑ See Magen Avraham 267:1 and When_Is_the_Earliest_and_Latest_Time_to_Pray?#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.
  80. ↑ 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.
  81. ↑ Gemara Shabbat 34b. There is a dispute there between Rabbi Yehuda Rabbi Nechemia and Rabbi Yosi. Rabbi Yehuda says that bein hasmashot begins when the sun (lit.) sinks and lasts until the upper part of the eastern sky is dark. Rabbi Nechemia says that bein hashmashot starts when the sun sinks and lasts for the duration of 0.5 mil. Rabbi Yosi says that bein hasmashot lasts for "a blink of an eye". Gemara Shabbat 35b quotes Rav Yehuda in the name of Shmuel that when there is one star it is still day, two stars is bein hashmashot, three stars is night. Gemara Shabbat 35a writes that the halacha is in accordance with both Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Yosi. Rif Shabbat Chap.2, Rosh Shabbat Chap 2:23, and others maintain that the halacha follows Shmuel as well.
    • These are the bases for the discussion amongst the poskim as to the time of bein hashmashot. To see how this translates into the common halacha and for a full discussion see Hazmanim B'halacha Chap. 40
  82. ↑ *(1) Gemara Shabbat 34b says bein hashemashot is considered as a doubt whether it is considered daytime or nighttime. When is bein hashemashot? Rabbi Yehuda says that bein hashemashot starts from Shekiyah when the eastern horizon darkens, and concludes 3/4 of a mil later when the upper part of the sky becomes dark as well. Rabbi Yosi says that bein hashemashot is as short as the blink of an eye, though R. Yose also agrees that there is a doubt (Tosfot 34b s.v. Rabbi Yose). R. Nechemya says that it is from Shekiyah and lasts the length of time it takes to walk a half mil. [Note, a mil is 2000 amot (see above).]
    • Explanation of Rabbi Yehuda's opinion: Rabba explains Rabbi Yehuda as saying that Bein HaShemashot starts from Shekiyah even though the sky is still red, while Rav Yosef says Bein HaShemashot starts from when the sun already set. It follows, says the Gemara, that according to Rabba the span of Bein HaShemashot is 3/4 of a mil and according to Rav Yosef Bein HaShemashot is 2/3 of a mil.
    • Who do we follow, Rabba or Rav Yosef, in explaining Rabbi Yehuda? The Rif (15a) writes that since it is unclear whether halacha follows Rav Yosef or Rabba, one should be strict to follow Rabba that Bein HaShemashot begins at Shekiyah. Then he says that it seems halacha should follow Rabba because halacha always follows Rabba with three exceptions and this isn't one of them. Similarly, Rambam (Shabbat 5:4) rules like Rabba that Bein HaShemashot begins at Shekiyah. Rabbenu Yonah (quoted by Rosh Shabbat 2:23) argues that since they're not arguing about which logic is correct but about what Rav Yehuda said the halacha follows both Rabba and Rav Yosef, whichever way will be a stringency. Therefore, in context of accepting Shabbat, Rama 261:1 rules like Rabba that Bein HaShemashot is 3/4 of a mil.
    • Explanation of Rabbi Yose's opinion: Shmuel (Shabbat 35a) says that Rav Yose’s concept of Bein HaShemashot takes place after the Bein HaShemashot already finished. Tosfot (Shabbat 34b s.v. Rabbi Yose) explains that even according to Rabbi Yose there’s a window of time when there is an uncertainty whether it is day or night but it isn’t as long as it is for Rabbi Yehuda. Rosh (Shabbat 2:23) discusses whether Rabbi Yose's Bein HaShemashot begins immediately after Rabbi Yehuda's or a while afterwards and doesn't come to a clear conclusion. Rashi to 35a s.v. Bein HaShemashot DeRabbi Yose seems to hold that it is right after R. Yehuda's period.
    • Who does the halacha follow? Rabbi Yehuda or Rabbi Yose The Briatta (Shabbat 34b) says that in regards to practical ramifications Bein HaShemashot is always considered day as a stringency and night as a stringency. Rif (Shabbat 14b) and Rambam (Shabbat 5:4) codify this Briatta. Shulchan Aruch 261:1 rules that during Bein HaShemashot one may not do anything one may not do on Shabbat with some exceptions (see there). Therefore, Rabbi Yochanan (Shabbat 35a) says that we follow Rabbi Yehuda regarding Shabbat as a stringency and Rabbi Yose regarding Trumah as a stringency. Rif (15a) and Rosh 2:23 codify Rabbi Yochanan as halacha.
    • (2) Gemara Pesachim 94a records Rabbi Yochanan's statement that an average person can walk 30 mil from HaNetz HaChama until Shekiyah and 5 mil from Shekiyah until Tzet HaKochavim (according to Rashi s.v. Ovav). The Gemara challenges this and explains really an average person can walk 32 mil from HaNetz HaChama until Shekiyah and only 4 mil from Shekiyah until Tzet HaKochavim.
    • The opinion of Rabbenu Tam: Tosfot (Pesachim 94a s.v. Rabbi Yehuda and Shabbat 35a s.v. Trei) is bothered how the Gemara Shabbat seems to say that from Shekiyah until Tzet HaKochavim a person can walk 3/4 of a mil (according to the Rabba) and the Gemara Pesachim says a person can walk 4 mil. Rabbenu Tam answers that the Gemara Shabbat was referring to the end of the Shekiyah and from then until Tzet HaKochavim is 3/4 of a mil, while the Gemara Pesachim is discussing the beginning of Shekiyah which takes 4 mil until Tzet HaKochavim. Ramban (cited by Maggid Mishna), Maggid Mishna (Shabbat 5:4), and Ran (Shabbat 15a) agree. The Ran (Shabbat 15a) explains that according to Rabbenu Tam there's two Shekiyot. After the first it is still considered daytime until 3.25 mil after the beginning of the Shekiyah. Bein HaShemashot, which is uncertain day or night, spans 3/4 of a mil and begins from the beginning of the second Shekiyah. See Beiur Halacha 261 s.v. Metechila who explains that the first Shekiyah is when the sun sets from our vision, and the second Shekiyah is when the light from the sun leaves the sky.
    • Does halacha follow Rabbenu Tam? The Shulchan Aruch 261:2 rules in accordance with Rabbenu Tam and states that from the beginning of the Shekiyah until Bein HaShemashot there's 3.25 mil and then Bein HaShemashot itself is .75 of a mil, which is equivalent to the time it takes to walk 1500 amot. Beiur Halacha 261 s.v. Metechila writes that for sure one should be strict for the Gra not to do any melacha after sunset.
    • (3) Shmuel's opinion: Then, Shmuel (Shabbat 35b) says that Bein HaShemashot is as long as two stars are seen in the sky, but if there’s only one star, it’s day, and if it’s three, then it’s night. The Gemara then clarifies that the stars which were discussed are medium size stars. Similarly, the Yerushalmi (Brachot, cited by Ran 15a) says that Shabbat concludes when three stars can be seen in one area and not spread out. The Rambam (Shabbat 5:4) rules like Shmuel that when three medium size stars are seen it is certain nighttime. The Kesef Mishna (Shabbat 5:4) is bothered why the Rambam said that Bein HaShemashot begins from Shekiyah and ends when three stars are seen, choosing the opinion of Rabba for the beginning of Bein HaShemashot and Shmuel for the end of Bein HaShemashot. He answers that really Rabba and Shmuel agree and just describe it differently. This may also be the intent of the Rif (15a) and Rosh 2:23 who say that halacha follows Rabba as a stringency and also quote Shmuel without anyone arguing. See Or Letzion Vol. 1 YD 1:10 who offers a novel interpretation of the opinion of the Rambam that he holds like Rabbi Yose (see there for the halachic implications). See also Beur Halacha 416 who paskens like Rabbi Yose MeIkar HaDin, as well, and Chazon Ovadia Shabbat Vol. 1 pp. 264.
  83. ↑ Ginzei Kedem V pg.37, See Teshuvat Maharam Alshakar 96 quoting Teshuvat Rav Sherira Goan and Rav Hai Goan. For a more complete list see Hazmanim B'halacha - Rav Benish Chap. 41 3-5.
    • Notably, Gra O.C. 261:11, Y.D. 262:9, and Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi (Baal HaTanya) Siddur - Seder HaChnosat Shabbat, pasken in accordance with this view and it has thus become accepted halacha in most circles.
    • Notable exceptions to this were Rav Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar and Rav Yekusiel Yehuda Halberstam of Tzanz-Klausenburg who wrote that the halacha is in accordance with Rabbenu Tam. See Divrei Yoel 18, Shefa Chaim - Kovetz Igros Kodesh I:11-20
    • Hazmanim B'halacha Chap.44:5 writes that regarding the start of Shabbat even the Satmar Rav and the Tzanz-Klausenburger Rav went in accordance with the geonim.
    • Igrot Moshe IV:62 writes that we are not able to resolve a dispute between rishonim and we must be stringent according to both views.
  84. ↑ Sefer HaYashar New Edition 221, Tosfot Shabbat 35a s.v. trei, Tosfot Pesachim 94a s.v. Rabbi Yehudah. Many other rishonim agreed with Rabbenu Tam, see Hazmanim B'halacha Chap 42:6-10 for a complete list.
  85. ↑ There are additional opinions as well; yet they are not the accepted halacha.
    • Sefer Yeraim 274 writes that bein hashmashos begins 0.75 mil before sunset and lasts until sunset at which time it is night. Biur Halacha 261:2 s.v. mitchilas writes that it is worthwhile to start Shabbat before that time.
    • Sefer Raavan 2 writes that bein hashmashot begins at sunset and lasts 5 mil until tzet hakochavim.
    • See Hazmanim B'halacha Chap 41 for a complete discussion.
  86. ↑ Rabbi Hershel Schachter on yutorah.org (min 43-5) explains that many practice like the Gra regarding Tzet HaKochavim 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 Biur Halacha 261:2 s.v. kodem writes that it varies according to one's location.
  87. ↑ Dvar Yom Chap. 6
  88. ↑ There are three methods in the poskim for applying the zman of the Gra and of Rabbenu Tam: degrees, shaot zmaniot, shaot shavot.
    • Degrees - The time of tzet hakochavim is an astronomical event; the timing of this varies depending on the locale and the time of year. Thus, many poskim write, that tzet cannot be calculated by time; rather, it must be based on the position of the sun below the horizon. Tzet is always when the sun is at a certain point below the horizon. According to this, the measurements given in mil actually refer to degrees. In other words, when the poskim write that tzet occurs 72 minutes after sunset, they do not mean to say that tzet occurs 72 minutes after shkiya in every locale, on every day of the year. Rather, they are discussing the time of tzet in Israel or Bavel on the equinox at which time the sun is approximately 16.1º below the horizon. By converting mil into degrees, we are merely conveying the "72 minutes" to apply them to any locale and for any time of the year.
    • 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 following applies assuming that a mil is either 18, 22.5, or 24 minutes.
    • According to the Gra the following times apply
    • At 13 1/2 minutes the sun is 3.7º below the horizon.
    • At 16 7/8 minutes the sun is 4.4º below the horizon.
    • At 18 minutes the sun is 4.7º below the horizon.
    • According to Rabbenu Tam the degrees would be the following.
    • At 72 minutes the sun is 16.1º below the horizon.
    • At 90 minutes the sun is 19.75º below the horizon.
    • At 120 minutes the sun is 25.9º below the horizon.
    • Shaot Zmaniot
    • Some hold that the times given are the actual times for tzet; yet they are not measured in terms of a 60-minute hour (shaot shavot); rather, in terms of halachic hours (shaot zmaniot). For example, on a day that there are 16 hours of daylight, each halachic hour is actually 80 minutes. Taking such a day for example we could calculate the time of alot in shaot zmaniot the following way: 72 minutes = 96 minutes and 13.5 minutes = 18 minutes.
    • Fixed Minutes
    • Some hold that tzet is determined by fixed minutes.
  89. ↑ Hazmanim B'halacha Chap 44:5. He mentions that even those who were vehement in upholding the minhag to go in accordance with Rabbenu Tam agreed to be stringent to stop all melacha on Erev Shabbat at shkiya.
  90. ↑ *Dvar Yom appendix 1 lists over 75 sources that the custom was to set tzet based on the appearance of stars and not based on mil.
    • Some poskim write, that even according to Rabbenu Tam, in areas of a lower latitude where three medium-sized stars are visible earlier, tzet hakochavim would be at the time when the stars are visible.
    • Minchas Kohen 2:5 s.v. she'im, Biur Halacha 261:2 s.v. kodem and Igros Moshe O.C. IV:62 agree. Rav Moshe writes that in New York the time for tzet according to Rabbenu Tam is 50 minutes after shkiya; however, he writes that it is proper for G-d fearing Jews to wait 72 minutes to end Shabbat, as was the custom in Europe. See Hazmanim B'halacha Chap. 42 for a complete discussion.
  91. ↑ Dvar Yom Chap. 6:10-31
  92. ↑ Dvar Yom Chap. 6:18-24
  93. ↑ Dvar Yom Chap. 6:17
  94. ↑ Dvar Yom Chap. 6:18-19
  95. ↑ Dvar Yom Chap. 6:20
  96. ↑ Dvar Yom Chap. 6:21
  97. ↑ Dvar Yom Chap. 6:21
  98. ↑ Dvar Yom Chap. 6:25-31. He writes that there are many questions on the 72-minute fixed shiur. 1. It is not equally dark in all locations at all times. 2. In other areas of halacha it is not necessarily accepted that the amount of a mil is 18 minutes. If so, why are we automatically accepting that a mil is 72 minutes. Also, there are many that hold that tzet is 5 mil after shkiya? He answers that since the real time for tzet is when the stars come out; therefore, the whole impetus to wait 72 minutes is really a stringency. This stringency was not accepted to its fullest. It was only accepted up until 72 fixed minutes.
  99. ↑ See Hazmanim B'Halacha Chap. 44-46 that the author Rav Chaim Beinish who, at length, posits that the minhag of various places around the world of when to end Shabbat coincides with their geopraphic location. In short, he shows how places that were farther north generally went in accordance with Rabbenu Tam to wait 72 minutes. Places farther south went in accordance with the geonim. And places in between went after the minhag of 3 stars. (His goal is to prove that ultimately everyone agrees that tzet hakochavim si when 3 stars are visible.)
  100. ↑ Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (Klalim s.v. Kedei) Dirshu Chadasha 167:7, M.B. 34, note 22 cites various places where M.B. gives conflicting amounts of time. In some places, M.B. writes the time is 3 words of "Shalom Alecha Rebbi," and in other places M.B. writes the time is 4 words of "Shalom Alecha Rebbi U'Mori." Dirshu concludes the main halacha is the three words time as per most achronim and the implication from M.B.
  101. ↑ Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (Klalim s.v. Kedei)
  102. ↑ How long is kdei aniva? There’s several opinions about this topic:
    • Smag- long enough to loop around all the rest of the 7 strings.
    • Chayei Adam, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 9:13- 4 gudalin, Beiur Halacha: 2 gudalin, Eliya Rabba (paskening like Rif and Rosh)- long enough to loop around just 1 string (very short).
    • The Beiur Halacha concludes that there’s no need to be strict for more than 2 gudalin. And he says if you have no choice, you can rely on the Eliya Rabba. see Peninei Halacha
  103. ↑ Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata (ch. 1, note 3), Badei Hashulchan 92:151
  104. ↑ Igrot Moshe (OC 4:74 Bishul no. 3), The Laws of Kashrut p. 111). Rav Hershel Schachter ("Kashrus in the Home" 2012, about min 30) quotes Rav Soloveitchik that yad soledet bo is at least 140 degrees and no more than 160 degrees.
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