When Is the Earliest and Latest Time to Pray?: Difference between revisions

# If one prayed prior to six and a half hours, according to many one has not fulfilled one’s obligation, however, some say that one has fulfilled one's obligation after the fact. <ref> Mishna Brurah 233:2 writes that this is implied from Shulchan Aruch 233:1 (and is agreed upon by many achronim), however there are some achronim who say that after the fact one has fulfilled one’s obligation. Kaf HaChaim 233:2 quotes the dispute of the achronim but concludes that because [[Tefillah]] is derabbanan one does not have to pray again. </ref>

===Latest Time for Mincha===

# <div id="Timeforarvit"></div> According to Rabbi Yehuda one must pray [[Mincha]] prior to ten and three quarter hours and the earliest time to pray [[Arvit]]/Mariv is ten and three quarter hours. According to Rabbanan [[Mincha]] may be said until nighttime and the earliest time to pray [[Arvit]]/Mariv is nighttime. <Ref> The Mishna ([[Brachot]] 26a) writes that according to Rabbi Yehuda one must pray [[Mincha]] prior to ten and three quarter hours while according to Rabbanan [[Mincha]] may be said until nighttime. Tosfot 27a (D”H Tah Shma) writes that according to Rabbi Yehuda the earliest time to say [[Mariv]] is ten and three quarter hours while according to Rabbanan the earliest time is nighttime. [This is also evident in the Gemara there (27a-b) and the upcoming Rishonim. The Maharsha (27a s.v. Tah Shma) asks why Tosfot needed to prove something which was so obvious from the Gemara.] </ref> The halacha allows one to follow either opinion, however, one must be consistent and always follow Rabbi Yehuda or always follow Rabbanan. <Ref>The Gemara (27a) writes that since there is no explicit ruling as to whom the halacha follows, one who follows Rabbi Yehuda has done properly and one who follows Rabbanan is correct too. The Rabbenu Yonah ([[Brachot]] 18b s.v. DeAved) writes that whichever opinion one follows one must be consistent and always follow the same opinion. This is also quoted by the Rosh ([[Brachot]] 4:3) in the name of a Gaon. Additionally, the Kesef Mishna ([[Tefillah]] 3:4) says that this is implicit in the Rambam and furthermore that it is the simple explanation of the words of the Gemara. This is also the ruling of Tur and Shulchan Aruch 233:1. </ref>

# If one always follows Rabbanan (praying [[Mincha]] until night and [[Arvit]] afterwards), and one night one prayed [[Arvit]] before night, one fulfills one’s obligation after the fact. <Ref>The Rabbenu Yonah (18b s.v. DeAved) writes that one should always follow Rabbanan (which was the minhag of his time and place) but nonetheless, after the fact if one prayed [[Arvit]] after Plag [[Mincha]] one has fulfilled one’s obligation. This is quoted in Bet Yosef 233:1 and codified in Shulchan Aruch 233:1. </ref>

# If one made a mistake and prayed [[Arvit]] thinking that it was nighttime but really it was earlier one must pray again at the proper time. <Ref> Gemara Brachot 27b writes that on Friday afternoon someone who made a mistake and said [[Arvit]] early thinking it was nighttime according to Abaye he would have to pray again. The Rabbenu Yonah 18b s.v. Rav explains that since one made a mistake and did not intend to pray [[Arvit]] early one does not fulfill one’s obligation. The Magen Avraham 263:26 and Mishna Brurah 263:55 agree that this halacha applies equally to a weeknight as to Friday night. </ref>

# Regarding praying [[Arvit]] early on Friday night see [[Making early Shabbat]].

# If one reaches tachanun after sunset, there is debate amongst the poskim if it should be recited.<ref> The Mishneh Brura (131:17) holds one should say it.  Rav Avigdor Neventzal in B’Yitzhak Yikareh on Mishna Brura (footnote to 131) quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach who thinks one should not. </ref>  

# If [[mincha]] lasts until after nightfall, [[tachanun]] is not recited. <ref> Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 69:8, Mishna Brurah 131:17 </ref>