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Reference of Measurements in Halacha: Difference between revisions

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Reference of Measurements in Halacha (view source)

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# According to the Chazon Ish, the Amah is 24 inches (60.96 centimeters), the Tefach is 4 inches (10.16 centimeters), and the Etzbah is 1 inch (2.54 centimeters). <ref> Shiurin shel Torah (pg 3) by the Steipler quoting the Chazon Ish but admitting that these are approximate measures because of the need to publicize the measures but not an accurate calculation. </ref>
# According to the Chazon Ish, the Amah is 24 inches (60.96 centimeters), the Tefach is 4 inches (10.16 centimeters), and the Etzbah is 1 inch (2.54 centimeters). <ref> Shiurin shel Torah (pg 3) by the Steipler quoting the Chazon Ish but admitting that these are approximate measures because of the need to publicize the measures but not an accurate calculation. </ref>
==Mil==
==Mil==
# When Mil is given in terms of time, some consider it 18 minutes, some 22.5 minutes, and some 24 minutes. <ref>S"A 459:2 writes that the mil is 18 minutes. Rama 261:1 agrees. Biur Halacha 459:2 D"H Haviy quotes some who consider it 22.5 minutes and others who say that it is 24 minutes.</ref>
# When Mil is given in terms of time, some consider it 18 minutes, some 22.5 minutes, and some 24 minutes. <ref>S"A 459:2 writes that the mil is 18 minutes. Rama 261:1 agrees. Biur Halacha 459:2 s.v. Haviy quotes some who consider it 22.5 minutes and others who say that it is 24 minutes.</ref>
# When Mil is given in terms of distance it is equal to 2000 [[Amot]]. <ref>S"A 261:2 writes that 3/4 of a mil is equal to 1500 amot, implying a mil is 2000 amot. [http://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/shiur.asp?id=15883#3b Rabbi Melamed on yeshiva.org.il] writes that a mil is 2000 amot.</ref>
# When Mil is given in terms of distance it is equal to 2000 [[Amot]]. <ref>S"A 261:2 writes that 3/4 of a mil is equal to 1500 amot, implying a mil is 2000 amot. [http://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/shiur.asp?id=15883#3b Rabbi Melamed on yeshiva.org.il] writes that a mil is 2000 amot.</ref>


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==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 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, Biur Halacha 163:1 D"H 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, Biur 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.  
* [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 Olot HaShachar is 72 minutes before sunrise, varying 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 Olot 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 Olot HaShachar is 72 minutes before sunrise, varying 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 Olot HaShachar is assumed to be 72 minutes before sunrise, varying according to the longitude and latitude. </ref>
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* '''Explanation of Rabbi Yehuda's opinion:''' Rabba explains Rabbi Yehuda as saying that Ben HaShemashot starts from Shekiyah even though the sky is still red, while Rav Yosef says Ben HaShemashot starts from when the bottom of the sun already set. It follows, says the Gemara, that according to Rabba the span of Ben HaShemashot is ¾ of a mil and according to Rav Yosef Ben HaShemashot is 2/3 of a mil.  
* '''Explanation of Rabbi Yehuda's opinion:''' Rabba explains Rabbi Yehuda as saying that Ben HaShemashot starts from Shekiyah even though the sky is still red, while Rav Yosef says Ben HaShemashot starts from when the bottom of the sun already set. It follows, says the Gemara, that according to Rabba the span of Ben HaShemashot is ¾ of a mil and according to Rav Yosef Ben 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 Ben 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 Ben 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 Ben 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 Ben 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 Ben 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 Ben HaShemashot is 3/4 of a mil.
* '''Explanation of Rabbi Yose's opinion:''' Shmuel (Shabbat 35a) says that Rav Yose’s concept of Ben HaShemashot takes place after the Ben HaShemashot already finished. Tosfot (Shabbat 34b D"H 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 Ben HaShemashot begins immediately after Rabbi Yehuda's or a while afterwards and doesn't come to a clear conclusion.
* '''Explanation of Rabbi Yose's opinion:''' Shmuel (Shabbat 35a) says that Rav Yose’s concept of Ben HaShemashot takes place after the Ben 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 Ben HaShemashot begins immediately after Rabbi Yehuda's or a while afterwards and doesn't come to a clear conclusion.
* '''Who does the halacha follow? Rabbi Yehuda or Rabbi Yose''' The Briatta (Shabbat 34b) says that in regards to practical ramifications Ben 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 Ben 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 Ben 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 Ben 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 Netz HaChama until Shekiyah and 5 mil from Shekiyah until Tzet HaKochavim (according to Rashi D”H Ovav). The Gemara challenges this and explains really an average person can walk 32 mil from Netz 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 Netz HaChama until Shekiyah and 5 mil from Shekiyah until Tzet HaKochavim (according to Rashi D”H Ovav). The Gemara challenges this and explains really an average person can walk 32 mil from Netz HaChama until Shekiyah and only 4 mil from Shekiyah until Tzet HaKochavim.  
* '''The opinion of Rabbenu Tam:''' Tosfot (Pesachim 94a D”H Rabbi Yehuda and Shabbat 35a D"H 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. Ben HaShemashot, which is uncertain day or night, spans .75 of a mil and begins from the beginning of the second Shekiyah. See Biur Halacha 261 D"H 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 D”H 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. Ben HaShemashot, which is uncertain day or night, spans .75 of a mil and begins from the beginning of the second Shekiyah. See Biur 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 Ben HaShemashot there's 3.25 mil and then Ben HaShemashot itself is .75 of a mil, which is equivalent to the time it takes to walk 1500 amot. Biur Halacha 261 D"H 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 Ben HaShemashot there's 3.25 mil and then Ben HaShemashot itself is .75 of a mil, which is equivalent to the time it takes to walk 1500 amot. Biur 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 Ben 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 Ben HaShemashot begins from Shekiyah and ends when three stars are seen, choosing the opinion of Rabba for the beginning of Ben HaShemashot and Shmuel for the end of Ben 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 Ben 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 Ben HaShemashot begins from Shekiyah and ends when three stars are seen, choosing the opinion of Rabba for the beginning of Ben HaShemashot and Shmuel for the end of Ben 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>
==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
<references/>
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