When Does Shabbat End?: Difference between revisions
From Halachipedia
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There are multiple Gemaras that comment on the time span between sunset and Tzeit HaKochavim. One of them states that it is the amount of time between sunset and [[Tzeit HaKochavim]] is the amount of time it takes to walk 4 milin<ref>Pesachim 94a</ref>, while the other states that it is the amount of time to walk 0.75 mil.<ref>Shabbat 34b</ref> Not only are the Gemarot contradictory, but it is also unclear how long a mil is in time. | There are multiple Gemaras that comment on the time span between sunset and Tzeit HaKochavim. One of them states that it is the amount of time between sunset and [[Tzeit HaKochavim]] is the amount of time it takes to walk 4 milin<ref>Pesachim 94a</ref>, while the other states that it is the amount of time to walk 0.75 mil.<ref>Shabbat 34b</ref> Not only are the Gemarot contradictory, but it is also unclear how long a mil is in time. | ||
There are a number of [[Rishonim]] that try to reconcile the different statements, the most notable of the opinions being that of Rabbeinu Tam<ref>[[Tosafot]] on Shabbat 35a</ref> who concludes that there is not ''one'' but ''two'' sunsets that halacha recognizes. The first of them is the natural sunset, which marks the beginning of the sun's setting. Then, 3.25 mil later, a second, halachic, sunset occurs, lasting for 0.75 mil, after which is [[Tzeit HaKochavim]]. The first 3.25 mil, for halachic purposes, is completely considered halachic day as there is still some daylight in the sky<ref>Under the 18 minute definition of a mil, this would consider halachic day to last until 58.5 minutes after natural sunset. | There are a number of [[Rishonim]] that try to reconcile the different statements, the most notable of the opinions being that of Rabbeinu Tam<ref>[[Tosafot]] on Shabbat 35a, [https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=47991&st=&pgnum=333 Sefer HaYashar 221])</ref> who concludes that there is not ''one'' but ''two'' sunsets that halacha recognizes. The first of them is the natural sunset, which marks the beginning of the sun's setting. Then, 3.25 mil later, a second, halachic, sunset occurs, lasting for 0.75 mil, after which is [[Tzeit HaKochavim]]. The first 3.25 mil, for halachic purposes, is completely considered halachic day as there is still some daylight in the sky<ref>Under the 18 minute definition of a mil, this would consider halachic day to last until 58.5 minutes after natural sunset. | ||
Because of this, Chassidic communities that held like Rabbeinu Tam in Europe continued to do melacha even after natural sunset on Friday evening in America, because, for them, Shabbat had not started yet. Such a practice was contrary to the practice of the rest of the Orthodox community in America, as everyone else stopped doing melacha at natural sunset. Upon the controversy that ensued, Rav Aharon Kotler forged an agreement with these communities that they would begin Shabbat with everyone else at natural sunset.</ref>, while the final 0.75 mil is ambiguous as to whether is considered halachic day or night (Bein HaShemashot) since the light is diminished. The Gemara in Pesachim is referring to the time between the first sunset and Tzeit HaKochavim and the Gemara in Shabbat is referring to the time between the second sunset and Tzeit HaKochavim. | Because of this, Chassidic communities that held like Rabbeinu Tam in Europe continued to do melacha even after natural sunset on Friday evening in America, because, for them, Shabbat had not started yet. Such a practice was contrary to the practice of the rest of the Orthodox community in America, as everyone else stopped doing melacha at natural sunset. Upon the controversy that ensued, Rav Aharon Kotler forged an agreement with these communities that they would begin Shabbat with everyone else at natural sunset.</ref>, while the final 0.75 mil is ambiguous as to whether is considered halachic day or night (Bein HaShemashot) since the light is diminished. The Gemara in Pesachim is referring to the time between the first sunset and Tzeit HaKochavim and the Gemara in Shabbat is referring to the time between the second sunset and Tzeit HaKochavim. | ||
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For those who follow Rabbeinu Tam's position, Tzeit HaKochavim and the end of Shabbat occur at a uniform 4 mil after natural sunset for all locales.<ref>Teshuvot V'Hanhagot 1:268</ref> The only difference among the different interpretations of Rabbeinu Tam's position is how long to define a mil, which has ramifications for how long 4 mil would be and when Shabbat would end. | For those who follow Rabbeinu Tam's position, Tzeit HaKochavim and the end of Shabbat occur at a uniform 4 mil after natural sunset for all locales.<ref>Teshuvot V'Hanhagot 1:268</ref> The only difference among the different interpretations of Rabbeinu Tam's position is how long to define a mil, which has ramifications for how long 4 mil would be and when Shabbat would end. | ||
Those who accept Rabbenu Tam's position include at least 20 rishonim: Tosfot (Pesachim 94a s.v. Rabbi Yehuda | Those who accept Rabbenu Tam's position include at least 20 rishonim: Tosfot (Pesachim 94a s.v. Rabbi Yehuda, Shabbat 35a s.v. Trei, and Zevachim 56a s.v. minayin), Ramban (Torat Haadam Avelut Yeshana n. 105 s.v. vrayiti), Maggid Mishna (Shabbat 5:4), Ran (on Rif Shabbat 15a), [https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=47991&st=&pgnum=335 Sefer Hatrumah (Hilchot Tefillin)] and Shulchan Aruch O.C. 261:2. Yabia Omer OC 2:21:1-3 also cites that this is the position of the Ran Yoma 81b, Ritva Shabbat 35a, Meiri Shabbat 35a, Smag Asin 32, Roke'ach 51, Mordechai Shabbat 35a, Rashba Brachot 2b, Orchot Chaim Yom Kippurim n. 3 citing Rav Hai Goan, Baal Hameor Brachot beginning and Arvei Pesachim s.v. Rav Chinana, Raah on Brachot 27a, Ohel Moed Shabbat 2:7, Rabbenu Peretz on Smak 96, Rosh Tanit 1:12, Rosh Yoma 8:8, and Tosfot Harosh Brachot 2b. In Chazon Ovadia Shabbat v. 1 p. 269 he adds the Raavad, Raavan respona 2, and Rabbenu Yerucham. | ||
===Interpretations and Derivatives of Rabbeinu Tam's Position=== | ===Interpretations and Derivatives of Rabbeinu Tam's Position=== | ||
