113
edits
Reference of Measurements in Halacha: Difference between revisions
From Halachipedia
Reference of Measurements in Halacha (view source)
Revision as of 22:44, 2 February 2014
, 2 February 2014→Bein HaShemashot
| Line 77: | Line 77: | ||
# [[Bein HaShemashot]] is the time period between certain daytime and certain nighttime. In many halachot, it is considered a doubt whether it is considered day or night and has many practical ramifications. There is a major dispute how long this period is. <ref> | # [[Bein HaShemashot]] is the time period between certain daytime and certain nighttime. In many halachot, it is considered a doubt whether it is considered day or night and has many practical ramifications. There is a major dispute how long this period is. <ref> | ||
* '''(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]] and concludes when the entire ball of the sun has set. Rabbi Yose, however, says that [[Bein HaShemashot]] is as short as the blink of an eye [though R. Yose also agrees that there is a doubt]. R. Nechemya says that it is from [[Shekiyah]] and lasts the length of time it takes to walk a half [[mil]]. | * '''(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]] and concludes when the entire ball of the sun has set. Rabbi Yose, however, says that [[Bein HaShemashot]] is as short as the blink of an eye [though R. Yose also agrees that there is a doubt]. R. Nechemya says that it is from [[Shekiyah]] and lasts the length of time it takes to walk a half [[mil]]. | ||
* '''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 bottom of the sun already set. It follows, says the Gemara, that according to Rabba the span of [[Bein HaShemashot]] is ¾ of a [[mil]] and according to Rav Yosef [[Bein HaShemashot]] is 2/3 of a [[mil]]. | * '''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 bottom of the sun already set. It follows, says the Gemara, that according to Rabba the span of [[Bein HaShemashot]] is ¾ of a [[mil]] and according to Rav Yosef [[Bein HaShemashot]] is 2/3 of a [[mil]] (1,334 Amos).. | ||
* '''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 (see Gemara 34b) the halacha follows both Rabba and Rav Yosef, whichever way will be a stringency. In context of [[accepting Shabbat]], Rama 261:1 rules like Rabba that [[Bein HaShemashot]] is 3/4 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 (see Gemara 34b) the halacha follows both Rabba and Rav Yosef, whichever way will be a stringency. 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 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 ד"ה בין השמשות דר' יוסי מישך שייך seems to hold that it is right after R. Yehuda's period. | * '''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 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 ד"ה בין השמשות דר' יוסי מישך שייך 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. S"A 261:1 rules that during [[Bein HaShemashot]] one may not doing anything one may not do on [[Shabbat]] with some exceptions (see there). 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. | * '''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. S"A 261:1 rules that during [[Bein HaShemashot]] one may not doing anything one may not do on [[Shabbat]] with some exceptions (see there). 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]]. | * '''(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 end 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 .75 of a [[mil]] and begins from the beginning of the second [[Shekiyah]]. See Beiur Halacha 261 s.v. Metechila 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. | * '''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]] (1,500 Amos) (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 end 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 .75 of a [[mil]] and begins from the beginning of the second [[Shekiyah]]. See Beiur Halacha 261 s.v. Metechila 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 S"A 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. | * '''Does halacha follow Rabbenu Tam?''' The S"A 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.</ref> | * '''(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.</ref> | ||
