When Is the Earliest and Latest Time to Pray?: Difference between revisions

#There is a great dispute regarding the time for ''bein hashmashot'' and the time for ''tzet hakochavim'' with many ramifications in halacha. The ''geonim'' write that ''bein hashmashot'' begins at sunset and lasts for 0.75 ''mil'' at which time it is ''tzet hakochavim.''<ref>Ginzei Kedem V pg.37, See Teshuvat Maharam Alshakar 96 quoting Teshuvat Rav Sherira Goan and Rav Hai Goan.

#If one reaches ''tachanun'' during ''bein hashmashot,'' there is a debate amongst the ''poskim'' if it should be recited with ''nefillat apayim''.<ref>Mishnah Brura 131:16 states that the discussion of whether or not ''tachanun'' may be said at night refers to reciting it with ''nefillas apayim.'' Merely reciting the chapter may be done at night. Mishnah Brura 131:17 holds one should say it with ''nefillas apayim''.  Rav Avigdor Neventzal in B’Yitzhak Yikareh on Mishna Brura (footnote to 131) quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach who thinks one should not. </ref>

#If [[mincha|''mincha'']] lasts until after ''tzeit hakochavim'', [[tachanun|''tachanun'']] is not recited with ''nefillat apayim''.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 69:8, Mishna Brurah 131:17. Mishnah Brura 131:16 writes that although ''tachanun'' is not said with ''nefillas apayim''; nevertheless, the ''mizmor'' of ''tachanun'' may be recited even after ''tzeit hakochavim.'' </ref>

#Some ''poskim'' write that even the ''mizmor'' of ''tachanun'' must not be said, even during ''bein hashmashot.''<ref>Kaf HaChaim 131:51,52</ref>

#According to Rabbi Yehuda, the latest time for ''mincha'' is ten- and three-quarter hours. From then on begins the time for ''arvit''. According to Rabbanan, the cutoff point is nightfall.<ref name=":0">The Mishna ([[Brachot]] 26a) writes that according to Rabbi Yehuda one must pray [[Mincha]] prior to ten and three quarter hours while according to Rabbanan [[Mincha]] may be said until nighttime. Tosfot Brachot 27a s.v. Ta Shma writes that according to Rabbi Yehuda the earliest time to say ''arvit'' is ten- and three-quarter hours while according to Rabbanan the earliest time is nighttime. [This is also evident in the Gemara there (27a-b) and the upcoming Rishonim. The Maharsha (27a s.v. Tah Shma) asks why Tosfot needed to prove something which was so obvious from the Gemara.] </ref> Halacha allows one to follow either opinion, however, one must be consistent and always follow the same opinion.<ref name=":1">The Gemara (27a) writes that since there is no explicit ruling as to whom the halacha follows, one who follows Rabbi Yehuda has done properly and one who follows Rabbanan is correct too. Rabbeinu Yonah ([[Brachot]] 18b s.v. DeAved) writes that one must consistently follow the same opinion. This is also opinion of the Rosh ([[Brachot]] 4:3) quoting a Gaon. Additionally, the Kesef Mishna ([[Tefillah]] 3:4) says that this is implicit in the Rambam and furthermore that it is the simple explanation of the words of the Gemara. Tur and Shulchan Aruch 233:1 codify the opinion of Rabbeinu Yonah. </ref>