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Reference of Measurements in Halacha: Difference between revisions

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In addition, discussed below are many Halachic times which also matter for everyday use.   
In addition, discussed below are many Halachic times which also matter for everyday use.   
==Kezayit==
==Kezayit==
# According to Ashkenazim, all sizes are measured in volume and not weight.<Ref> Mishna Brurah 456:3, Vezot HaBracha (pg 6) </ref> However, according to Sephardim the actual halacha is that measures are in volume but the minhag is to follow the measures in weight. <ref>See Yalkut Yosef (Klalei [[Brachot]] pg 195-202) discusses this at length. </ref>
# According to Ashkenazim, all sizes are measured in volume and not weight.<Ref> Mishna Brurah 456:3, Vezot HaBracha (pg 6) </ref> However, according to Sephardim the actual halacha is that measures are in volume but the minhag is to follow the measures in weight. <ref>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. </ref>
# 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. <Ref>
# 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. <Ref>
* 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. Agav), Rambam (Eiruvin 1:9)). S”A 486 rules like Tosfot. Rav Avraham Chaim Noeh (Shiurei Torah 3:12) argues that Tosfot holds half a KeBeitzah without the shell.  
* 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. Agav), Rambam (Eiruvin 1:9)). S”A 486 rules like Tosfot. Rav Avraham Chaim Noeh (Shiurei Torah 3:12) argues that Tosfot holds half a KeBeitzah without the shell.  
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**(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.  
**(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) Rav Chaim Kanievsky 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.
**(2) Rav Chaim Kanievsky 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.]</ref>
**(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 ([http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/760487/Rabbi_Mordechai_I_Willig/How_Much_Matza_Do_You_Need_to_Eat Pesach To-Go, Nisan 5771], p. 60) is of the opinion that the size in volume of a kezayis is 22.5 cubic centimeters
**(4) Rav Mordechai Willig ([http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/760487/Rabbi_Mordechai_I_Willig/How_Much_Matza_Do_You_Need_to_Eat Pesach To-Go, Nisan 5771], p. 60) is of the opinion that the size in volume of a kezayis is 22.5 cubic centimeters.</ref>
## The minhag of the world and many other authorities is to follow Rav Chaim Noeh’s opinion. <Ref> 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. </ref>
## The minhag of the world and many other authorities is to follow Rav Chaim Noeh’s opinion. <Ref> 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. </ref>
# 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. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 486:1 </ref>
# 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. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 486:1 </ref>
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## 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. <ref>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.</ref>However, some are lenient to rely on the Gra. <ref>[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/728553/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_on_Zmanim_in_Halacha 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]]. </ref>
## 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. <ref>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.</ref>However, some are lenient to rely on the Gra. <ref>[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/728553/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_on_Zmanim_in_Halacha 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]]. </ref>
==Olot HaShachar==
==Olot HaShachar==
# 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. <ref>
# Many rishonim hold that [[Olot HaShachar]] is 72 minutes before sunrise on a "perfect day" (when sunrise and sunset are exactly 12 hours apart) 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. <ref>
* 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 [[Olot HaShachar]] is 120 minutes before sunrise.  
* 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 [[Olot HaShachar]] is 120 minutes before sunrise.  
* He also quotes Rabbi Tukachinsky who held like the opinion of 90 minutes.  
* He also quotes Rabbi Tukachinsky who held like the opinion of 90 minutes.  
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==Shekiyah (Sunset)==
==Shekiyah (Sunset)==
# [[Shekiyah]] is sunset which, in general, is halachically the same as the astronomical calculation of sunset. <ref>[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/728553/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_on_Zmanim_in_Halacha 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. </ref>
# [[Shekiyah]] is sunset which, in general, is halachically the same as the astronomical calculation of sunset. <ref>[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/728553/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_on_Zmanim_in_Halacha 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. </ref>
==Tzet HaCochavim (Emergence of the stars)==
==Tzet HaKochavim (Emergence of the stars)==
# 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. <ref>Rabbi Hershel Schachter on [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/728553/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_on_Zmanim_in_Halacha# 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.</ref>
# There's a major dispute when Tzet HaKochavim 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. <ref>Rabbi Hershel Schachter on [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/728553/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_on_Zmanim_in_Halacha# 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 Mishna Brurah writes that it varies according to one's location.</ref>
 
==Bein HaShemashot==
==Bein HaShemashot==
# [[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>
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# The Gemara rules that if one does a Melacha on [[Shabbos]] for the duration of Bein Hashemashos on Friday evening and Saturday evening, one has certainly violated [[Shabbos]], and must bring a sin-offering <ref> [[Shabbos]] 35b, Rambam (Hilchot [[Shabbos]] 5:4). This is because if one treats [[Bein Hashemashot]] as day, one broke [[Shabbos]] on Saturday evening. If one treats [[Bein Hashemashot]] as night, one violated [[Shabbos]] on Friday evening. </ref>
# The Gemara rules that if one does a Melacha on [[Shabbos]] for the duration of Bein Hashemashos on Friday evening and Saturday evening, one has certainly violated [[Shabbos]], and must bring a sin-offering <ref> [[Shabbos]] 35b, Rambam (Hilchot [[Shabbos]] 5:4). This is because if one treats [[Bein Hashemashot]] as day, one broke [[Shabbos]] on Saturday evening. If one treats [[Bein Hashemashot]] as night, one violated [[Shabbos]] on Friday evening. </ref>
# Therefore, one can do no Melacha during [[Bein Hashemashot]] <ref> Mishnah [[Shabbos]] 34b </ref>.
# Therefore, one can do no Melacha during [[Bein Hashemashot]] <ref> Mishnah [[Shabbos]] 34b </ref>.
==Yad Soledet Bo==
# For purposes of cooking on Shabbat and Kashrut, Yad Soledet Bo is certainly hotter than 113 degrees fahrenheit. <ref>Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata (ch. 1, note 3), Badei Hashulchan 92:151</ref> Others are concerned for anything over 110 degrees fahrenheit and over 160 degrees is certainly yad soledet bo. <Ref>Igrot Moshe (OC 4:74 Bishul no. 3), The Laws of Kashrut p. 111)</reF>


==Links==
==Links==