When Does Shabbat End?: Difference between revisions
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→The Astronomical Method
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</ref>. This is the widely accepted definition of when Shabbat ends, though there are a variety of opinions as to when this phenomenon actually occurs in a way that is halachically significant enough to end Shabbat. Most of these opinions can be subcategorized in one of two major methods of calculation: an astronomical based method or a time based method. | </ref>. This is the widely accepted definition of when Shabbat ends, though there are a variety of opinions as to when this phenomenon actually occurs in a way that is halachically significant enough to end Shabbat. Most of these opinions can be subcategorized in one of two major methods of calculation: an astronomical based method or a time based method. | ||
==The Astronomical Method== | ==The Astronomical Method== | ||
The astronomical method uses the time that it takes to see three small stars in Israel and position of the sun relative to the horizon at that time to extrapolate when Shabbat should end for the rest of the world. In Jerusalem, during the Tishrei and Nissan equinoxes, it takes approximately 36 minutes after sunset to see these three stars in the sky. At this time, the sun is 8.5 degrees below the horizon. Therefore, Shabbat ends when the sun is 8.5 degrees below the horizon, post-sunset, in every other location in the world. <ref>Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky, Sefer Bein HaShemashot. Berur Halacha (Zilber) Tinyana Siman </ref> | The astronomical method uses the time that it takes to see three small stars in Israel and position of the sun relative to the horizon at that time to extrapolate when Shabbat should end for the rest of the world. In Jerusalem, during the Tishrei and Nissan equinoxes, it takes approximately 36 minutes after sunset to see these three stars in the sky. At this time, the sun is 8.5 degrees below the horizon. Therefore, Shabbat ends when the sun is 8.5 degrees below the horizon, post-sunset, in every other location in the world. <ref>Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky, Sefer Bein HaShemashot. Berur Halacha (Zilber) Tinyana Siman. | ||
* Zmanim KHalacha p. 43 quotes Hacham Ovadia as holding that the minutes for Olot do not depend on location but rather shaot zmaniyot. 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> | |||
In light of this determination, the amount of time after sunset when Shabbat will end will vary from place to place in the world. | In light of this determination, the amount of time after sunset when Shabbat will end will vary from place to place in the world. | ||
==The Time Based Method== | ==The Time Based Method== | ||
