When Does Shabbat End?: Difference between revisions
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→The Astronomical Method (Rav Tukachinsky)
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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 halachically significant enough way 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 halachically significant enough way 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 (Rav Tukachinsky)== | ==The Astronomical Method (Rav Tukachinsky)== | ||
According to this position, anything that is stipulated in the Gemara (see below) about the amount of time between sunset and Tzeit HaKochavim is only applicable to Bavel (Babylonia) and Israel during the Tishrei and Nissan equinoxes, not for the rest of the world nor during any other time of the year. The astronomical method uses the time that it takes to see the three small stars in Israel and the position of the sun at the above mentioned times to extrapolate a calculation for when Shabbat should end for the rest of the world. In Jerusalem, during the Tishrei and Nissan equinoxes, it takes approximately | According to this position, anything that is stipulated in the Gemara (see below) about the amount of time between sunset and Tzeit HaKochavim is only applicable to Bavel (Babylonia) and Israel during the Tishrei and Nissan equinoxes, not for the rest of the world nor during any other time of the year. The astronomical method uses the time that it takes to see the three small stars in Israel and the position of the sun at the above mentioned times to extrapolate a calculation for when Shabbat should end for the rest of the world. In Jerusalem, during the Tishrei and Nissan equinoxes, it takes approximately 32 minutes in the winter and 38 minutes in the summer (in the United States and Eruope, 50-60 minutes<ref>Shu"t Igrot Moshe, Orach Chaim 4:62</ref>) after sunset to see these three stars in the sky. At this time, the sun has set 8.5 degrees below the horizon. Therefore, Shabbat ends when the sun has set 8.5 degrees below the horizon in every other location in the world at any other time during the year. <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><ref>In the New York area, this usually takes approximately 40 minutes after sunset at the equinox, and as much as 51 minutes during the summer.</ref> | *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><ref>In the New York area, this usually takes approximately 40 minutes after sunset at the equinox, and as much as 51 minutes during the summer.</ref> | ||
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The other major position that sought to resolve the contradiction in Gemaras was that of the Vilna Gaon (Gr"a) who held that there is only 1 halachic sunset which occurs at natural sunset. The 0.75 mil the Gemara was referring to is the time that it takes 3 medium sized stars to appear in the sky, which is nighttime on a Torah level. We are then required to wait longer until 3 small stars appear<ref>See the Shulchan Aruch quoted above.</ref> to appear to end Shabbat. When the Gemara was speaking about 4 mil, it is referring to when all the stars appear in the sky, which would be relevant for other areas of halacha.<ref>Bei'ur HaGra, Orach Chaim 261:2 s.v. She-hu and Mishna Berurah 293:3</ref> This position requires a wait to Tzeit HaKochavim that is less than the 4 mil presented by Rabbeinu Tam. | The other major position that sought to resolve the contradiction in Gemaras was that of the Vilna Gaon (Gr"a) who held that there is only 1 halachic sunset which occurs at natural sunset. The 0.75 mil the Gemara was referring to is the time that it takes 3 medium sized stars to appear in the sky, which is nighttime on a Torah level. We are then required to wait longer until 3 small stars appear<ref>See the Shulchan Aruch quoted above.</ref> to appear to end Shabbat. When the Gemara was speaking about 4 mil, it is referring to when all the stars appear in the sky, which would be relevant for other areas of halacha.<ref>Bei'ur HaGra, Orach Chaim 261:2 s.v. She-hu and Mishna Berurah 293:3</ref> This position requires a wait to Tzeit HaKochavim that is less than the 4 mil presented by Rabbeinu Tam. | ||
* | *Rav Moshe Feinstein held that Shabbat ends at a maximum of 50 minutes after sunset as by then, the stars that will usually appear in the night sky will be out by then.<ref>Shu"t Igrot Moshe, Orach Chaim 4:62. Rav Moshe held that Binei Torah should wait 72 minutes after sunset as that was the minhag in Europe. With that said, even Rabbeinu Tam would agree that 50 minutes would suffice since all the stars are out by then.</ref> | ||
* There are poskim that made pesakim for the land of Israel specifically. The more lenient positions held that Shabbat ends 24 minutes after sunset in the winter and 30 in the summer in Israel.<ref>Ketzot HaChoshen 93:2</ref> Those who were more stringent held that Shabbat should end 45-50 minutes after sunset in Israel.<ref>Dinim V'Hanhagot 8:7 in the name of the Chazon Ish. | *There are poskim that made pesakim for the land of Israel specifically. The more lenient positions held that Shabbat ends 24 minutes after sunset in the winter and 30 in the summer in Israel.<ref>Ketzot HaChoshen 93:2</ref> Those who were more stringent held that Shabbat should end 45-50 minutes after sunset in Israel.<ref>Dinim V'Hanhagot 8:7 in the name of the Chazon Ish. | ||
Rav Aharon M'Belz instructed that one should wait 50 minutes after sunset in Israel.</ref> | Rav Aharon M'Belz instructed that one should wait 50 minutes after sunset in Israel.</ref> | ||
* Rav Yosef Dov HaLevi Soloveitchik (1903-1993) held that Shabbat ends 30 minutes after sunset for New York and Boston, though he privately would wait longer. <ref>https://www.etzion.org.il/en/conclusion-shabbat-and-havdala | *Rav Yosef Dov HaLevi Soloveitchik (1903-1993) held that Shabbat ends 30 minutes after sunset for New York and Boston, though he privately would wait longer. <ref>https://www.etzion.org.il/en/conclusion-shabbat-and-havdala | ||
As stated by his son in-law, Rav Aharon Lichtenstein. </ref><br /><!-- #According to Sephardim, it is permitted for someone who keeps Rabbenu Tam time to ask someone who doesn't keep Rabbenu Tam time to do Melacha for him.<ref>Yalkut Yosef 293:11</ref> --> | As stated by his son in-law, Rav Aharon Lichtenstein. </ref><br /><!-- #According to Sephardim, it is permitted for someone who keeps Rabbenu Tam time to ask someone who doesn't keep Rabbenu Tam time to do Melacha for him.<ref>Yalkut Yosef 293:11</ref> --> | ||
