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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. 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. </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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## 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" (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>
# 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.