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Reference of Measurements in Halacha: Difference between revisions

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*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.
*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.
*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.</ref>
*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.</ref>
#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). <ref>*The Tzlach (Pesachim 116b) 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.
#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). <ref>*The Tzlach (Pesachim 116b) 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]]?  
*Practically, how much is a [[Kezayit]]?  
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*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.
*[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/728553/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_on_Zmanim_in_Halacha 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, [http://www.ou.org/webcast_kosher 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.</ref>
*[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/728553/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_on_Zmanim_in_Halacha 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, [http://www.ou.org/webcast_kosher 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.</ref>
#According to Sepharadim, Alot HaShachar is 72 minutes before sunrise.<ref>Yalkut Yosef, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Siman 58, Seif 3. </ref> These minutes are proportional to the length of the day,<ref>Yalkut Yosef, Pesuke DeZimra and Keriat Shema, pages 432-433 based on Rambam, Perush Mishnayot, Masechet Berachot, Perek 1.</ref> and do not depend on current location.<ref>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.</ref>
#According to Sephardim, Alot HaShachar is 72 minutes before sunrise.<ref>Yalkut Yosef, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Siman 58, Seif 3. </ref> These minutes are proportional to the length of the day,<ref>Yalkut Yosef, Pesuke DeZimra and Keriat Shema, pages 432-433 based on Rambam, Perush Mishnayot, Masechet Berachot, Perek 1.</ref> and do not depend on current location.<ref>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.</ref>


'''Degrees below Horizon'''
'''Degrees below Horizon'''
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===Chatzot===
===Chatzot===


#[[Chatzot]] is midday and midnight, always separated by 12 hours.<ref>Mishna Brurah 1:9 writes that [[chatzot]] at night is always 12 hours after [[chatzot]] of day for any place in the world.</ref>
#[[Chatzot]] is midday and midnight, always separated by 12 hours.<ref>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. </ref> This is calculated as halfway between sunrise and sunset, meaning 6 halachic hours after sunrise, see [https://www.myzmanim.com/search.aspx myzmanim.com]<ref>Chazon Ovadia Yamim Noraim pg. 3. [https://din.org.il/2016/01/09/%D7%95%D7%99%D7%94%D7%99-%D7%91%D7%97%D7%A6%D7%99-%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%94-%D7%96%D7%9E%D7%A0%D7%99-%D7%97%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9D-%D7%95%D7%97%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%94/ see din.org ]for at length discussion.<br>
see however Minchat Shlomo 1:91:15 regarding the latest time to eat Afikoman on Pesach </ref>


===Mincha Gedola===
===Mincha Gedola===
 
Regarding all of the laws of reciting mincha at that time or later see the [[mincha]] page.
#Mincha Gedola is six and a half halachic hours (Shaot Zmaniot) after sunrise.<ref>Rashi (Pesachim 107a s.v. mincha gedola), Rambam (Tefillah 3:2)</ref>
#Mincha Gedola is six and a half halachic hours (Shaot Zmaniot) after sunrise.<ref>Rashi (Pesachim 107a s.v. mincha gedola), Rambam (Tefillah 3:2)</ref>


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==Sources==
==Sources==
<references />
<references />
[[Category:Principles of Halacha]]
[[Category:References]]
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