When Does Shabbat End?: Difference between revisions
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==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
===Overlying Question=== | ===Overlying Question=== | ||
The Talmud has several different statements about when the nighttime begins for all purposes including when Shabbat ends. The clearest statement on the matter is that of Shmuel in Gemara Shabbat 35b; once three medium stars are visible in the sky it is considered night. This time period is called ''Tzeit Hakochavim'', the emergence of the stars. Though, there are multiple Gemaras that comment on the time span between sunset and Tzeit HaKochavim. The Gemara Shabbat 34b records the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda that night only begins after a period of twilight which elapses from ''shekiya'' (sunset) for another two thirds of a mil or three quarters of a mil. Additionally, Rabbi Yosi disagrees and thinks twilight is minimal, literally "the length of time it takes to bat an eyelash", though not precisely that amount of time.<ref>Shaar Hatziyun 293:3 writes that it is the time it takes to walk 49 [[amot]] which is approximately half a minute. (It is dependent on the amount of time of a mil which is the time it takes to walk 2000 amot.)</ref> Finally, the Gemara Pesachim 94a indicates that nightfall doesn't begin until 4 mil after ''shekiya''. There are three main approaches in the rishonim and achronim as how to resolve these statements of the Talmud in a cohesive manner. | The Talmud has several different statements about when the nighttime begins for all purposes including when Shabbat ends. The clearest statement on the matter is that of Shmuel in Gemara Shabbat 35b; once three medium stars are visible in the sky it is considered night. This time period is called ''Tzeit Hakochavim'', the emergence of the stars. Though, there are multiple Gemaras that comment on the time span between sunset and Tzeit HaKochavim. The Gemara Shabbat 34b records the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda that night only begins after a period of twilight which elapses from ''shekiya'' (sunset) for another two thirds of a mil or three quarters of a mil.<ref>Rav Yosef's opinion is that ben hashemashot is 2/3 of a mil and Rabba holds it is 3/4 of a mil. It seems clear from the Gemara 34b that they're argument is when ben hashemashot begins. Rav Yosef holds that it doesn't begin for the first 1/12 of a mil after shekiya. Tosfot 35a s.v. vyered makes this evident. The Geonim (Otzar Geonim Shabbat 34b n. 111) agree. However, Rashba Shabbat 34b s.v. veyzhu implies that they're arguing about when the night begins.</ref> Additionally, Rabbi Yosi disagrees and thinks twilight is minimal, literally "the length of time it takes to bat an eyelash", though not precisely that amount of time.<ref>Shaar Hatziyun 293:3 writes that it is the time it takes to walk 49 [[amot]] which is approximately half a minute. (It is dependent on the amount of time of a mil which is the time it takes to walk 2000 amot.)</ref> Finally, the Gemara Pesachim 94a indicates that nightfall doesn't begin until 4 mil after ''shekiya''. There are three main approaches in the rishonim and achronim as how to resolve these statements of the Talmud in a cohesive manner. | ||
===Rabbenu Tam's Answer=== | ===Rabbenu Tam's Answer=== | ||
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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 Rabbeinu Tam's position include at least 25 rishonim: Tosfot (Pesachim 94a s.v. Rabbi Yehuda, Shabbat 35a s.v. Trei, | Those who accept Rabbeinu Tam's position include at least 25 rishonim: Tosfot (Pesachim 94a s.v. Rabbi Yehuda, Shabbat 35a s.v. Trei, Zevachim 56a s.v. minayin, Pesachim 94a s.v. Rabbi Yehuda, Menachot 20b s.v. nifsal, Sefer Hayashar Chidushim 221), 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)], Rav Chaim Ben Yakov of London (compiled 1287, printed by Mosad Rav Kook in 1962, Shabbat ch. 2 p. 207), 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, Shabbat 34b s.v. vazdu), 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. Dor Hamelaktim v. 1 p. 412 writes that Tosfot Rid (Mehudra Telita Shababt 34b), Nemukei Yosef Shabbat 34b, Hashlama Shabbat 34b, Maharil 163, and Maharik 173 concur with Rabbeinu Tam. | ||
Many poskim hold this as well including: Dor Hamelaktim v. 1 p. 412 cites the Radvaz 1352, Rama (Darkei Moshe Haaruch 261:1), Prisha 261:4, Bach responsa 154, Magen Avraham 331:2, Tosefet Shabbat 261:11, 331:10, and Chatom Sofer OC 80. He concludes with a citation of the Kuntres Ben Hashemashot by R' Shemerler that lists 183 rishonim and achronim who follow Rabbenu Tam! | Many poskim hold this as well including: Dor Hamelaktim v. 1 p. 412 cites the Radvaz 1352, Rama (Darkei Moshe Haaruch 261:1), Prisha 261:4, Bach responsa 154, Magen Avraham 331:2, Tosefet Shabbat 261:11, 331:10, and Chatom Sofer OC 80. He concludes with a citation of the Kuntres Ben Hashemashot by R' Shemerler that lists 183 rishonim and achronim who follow Rabbenu Tam! | ||
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===Interpretations and Derivatives of Rabbeinu Tam's Position=== | ===Interpretations and Derivatives of Rabbeinu Tam's Position=== | ||
*There are those fundamentally agree with Rabbeinu Tam's 4 mil opinion, but | *There are those fundamentally agree with Rabbeinu Tam's 4 mil opinion, but instead of the standard definition of a mil as 18 minutes<ref>Rambam Pirush Mishnayot Brachot 1:1, Trumat Hadeshen, Shulchan Aruch O.C. 459:1, and Rama 261:1.</ref> they define a mil as 22.5 minutes, making Tzeit HaKochavim 90 minutes after sunset.<ref>Gra 459:1 and Zmanim Khalacha pp. 19-20.</ref> Others define a mil as 24 minutes, making Shabbat end 96 minutes after sunset.<ref>96 minutes- Satmar Rebbe (Zemirot Divrei Yoel) and Shu"t Beit Avi (3:117). The 24 minute mil is based on the opinion of the Rambam (Rambam Korban Pesach 5:8 and Pirush Mishnayot Pesachim 9:1) described below.</ref> | ||
* Finally, some of those of who hold of a 24 minute mil maintain Tzeit HaKochavim occurs two hours after sunset.<ref>Uvdot V'Hanhagot L'Beit Brisk (Vol. 4, page 54) in the name of the Brisker Rav.</ref> This position is based on the Rambam's position that a mil is 24 minutes and on those who maintain there are not four but five mil for Tzeit HaKochavim.<ref>24 mins/mil * 5 mil = 120 mins. The Rambam (Pirush Mishnayot Pesachim 9:1 and Korban Pesach 5:8) holds of the 24 minute mil and that there is 5 mil from shekiya until tzet. Tosfot Pesachim 11b s.v. echad also has the text that it is 5 mil from shekiya until tzet but the Gra OC 459 emends the text of Tosfot to say 4 mil. Those who have 4 mil: Tosfot Zevachim s.v. minyan, Tosfot Pesachim 94a s.v. Rabbi Yehuda, Ramban Torat Adam, Rashba Shabbat 34b, and most of the all the rishonim who agree with Rabbenu Tam.</ref> | |||
===Answering the Questions for Rabbeinu Tam=== | ===Answering the Questions for Rabbeinu Tam=== | ||
