Time for Mincha
From Halachipedia
- Some Rishonim hold that the primary time for mincha is Mincha Gedola (6 ½ hours into the day), whereas, the accepted opinion is that the primary time for mincha is Mincha Ketana (9 ½ hours into the day). [1] However, if one wants to eat or travel later (within a hour, or there’s no minyan available after Mincha Ketana, it’s preferable to pray from Mincha Ketana. [2]
- The two major opinions to the lastest times for mincha are as follows: one opinion is that mincha can only be said until Plag Mincha (10 ¾ hours into the day) and maariv can be said from Plag Mincha. The other opinion is that mincha can be said until night* (Shekiyah) and maariv can be said after night (Tzet HaCochavim). The halacha follows both opinions, meaning that one theoretically could follow either opinion. [3] * “night” is a dispute and certainly preferably one must daven mincha before Shekiyah. [4]
- However, one must be careful that one should always (every single day) follow the same opinion. However, in a tzibbur where there’s an excessive effort to get everyone back to shul for maariv (and people can’t wait in shul), then it’s permissible for a tzibbur to say maariv right after maariv. [5]
- The original minhag of Ashkenazim is like the first opinion and the minhag of Sephardim like the second opinion. However, nowadays the general minhag (of Ashkenazim and Sephardim) is like the second opinion. [6]
References
- ↑ Bet Yosef 233:1 quotes a seeming dispute Tur and Rosh holds that Mincha Gedola is the primary time, whereas the Rambam holds that the primary time is Mincha Ketana (the reason of the Rambam is that the tefilla of mincha is comparable to the korban which was brought at the end of the day). Shulchan Aruch 233:1 holds like the Rambam. Mishna Brurah 233:1 also holds like Shulchan Aruch. See the BeYitchak Yikra 233:1 (notes of Rav Nevinsal on Mishna Brurah) who adds that the Rambam holds that the only preferable time is after Mincha Ketana before Plag Mincha (10 ¾ hours) and it’d be preferable to say mincha individually at Mincha Gedola than with a minyan at Mincha Ketana after Plag Mincha. Nonetheless, he agrees that the minhag is not like this.
- ↑ Mishna Brurah 233:1
- ↑ S”A 233:1
- ↑ Mishna Brurah 233:14
- ↑ S”A 233:1, Mishna Brurah 233:6, 11
- ↑ S”A 233:1 says the minhag is like רבנן and Rama 233:1 says the minhag is like Rabbi Yehuda. Nowadays, Piskei Teshuvot 233:4 writes that the Ashkenazic minhag is like רבנן.
