Halachic Zmanim

 
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Description:

Describing the times of the day that the daily mitzvot are to be carried out, as well as the meaning (times) of these.

ב"ה
Jewish Calendar

Zmanim - Halachic Times

Zmanim Briefly Defined and Explained

The calculation of these halachic times, known as zmanim (Hebrew for “times”), depends on the various astronomical phenomena of the day for the specific locale. Sunrise, sunset, the amount of time between them, and the sun’s angular position before rising are all factors that determine the halachic times and “hours” of the day.

Shaah Zmanit:

  • Proportional hour. Total daylight hours divided by 12.

This is an hour according to halachah or Jewish law . When we say that a certain mitzvah may be performed three hours into the day, this doesn’t mean at three in the morning, or three clock hours after sunrise. Rather, an hour in halachah means 1/12th of the day. Thus, if the sun rises at 5 AM and sets at 7:30 PM, one shaah zmanit, or proportional hour (pl. shaot zmaniot), will be 72.5 minutes, and all calculations will use that number.

Alot Hashachar:

  • The time when some of the light of the sun begins to be noticeable on the eastern horizon.

Communal fasts (other than Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av) begin at this time. According to Torah law, dawn marks the beginning of the day, and all mitzvahs associated with daytime hours—such as hearing the shofar, shaking the lulav, the recitation of the Shema, or the daytime hearing of the Megillah—can now be done. For various reasons, however, the Sages instituted that the observance of these mitzvahs should be delayed until hanetz hachamah, or, in some cases, until misheyakir.

Misheyakir

Earliest time for Tallit and Tefillin:

  • The time when there is enough light so that one can recognise a casual acquaintance from the distance of four cubits.

Ideally, this is the earliest time to to say Shema, put on tallit or tefillin, and make a blessing on tzitzit.

Hanetz Hachamah - Sunrise:

  • The moment when the top edge of the sun’s disk comes into view at sea level.

This is ideally the earliest time to say the morning Amidah. When there is a need to pray the Amidah earlier, a rabbinic authority should be consulted. It is also the earliest time for other daytime mitzvahs, such as shofar and lulav.

Latest Shema:

  • Three shaot zmaniot into the day.

Latest time of the day to fulfil the biblical requirement to recite the morning Shema. Bedi’eved (if one missed this time), one should still recite Shema with its blessings until chatzot.

Latest Tefillah:

  • Four shaot zmaniot into the day.

Ideally the latest time for Shacharit, the morning prayer. However, if this time was missed, Shacharit may be recited until chatzot. (This is also the last time to eat chametz on Erev Pesach)

Chatzot - Midday:

  • The halfway point between sunrise and sunset.

This is the latest time to say Shacharit. Half-day fasts end at this time.

Minchah Gedolah:

  • Half an hour after chatzot.

This is the earliest time one may recite Minchah, the afternoon prayer.

Minchah Ketanah:

  • Two and a half proportional hours before the end of the day.

This zman has certain ramifications with regard to beginning a meal (especially on Erev Shabbos and Yom Tov). According to some, this begins the ideal time for praying Minchah. In addition, some consider this zman to be relevant to some of the laws of Family Purity. Consult a rabbinic authority for details.

Plag Haminchah:

  • One and a quarter proportional hours before the end of the day.

Plag haminchah is the earliest time one may light Shabbat candles (and Chanukah candles on Erev Shabbat of Chanukah). When in need, one may pray Ma’ariv as early as plag haminchah (though the Shema must be repeated after tzeit). In addition, if one wishes to begin Shabbat early, one may begin it as early as plag haminchah.

Candle-Lighting Time:

  • 18 minutes before shekiah, sunset.

This is candle lighting time for Erev Shabbat and Erev Yom Tov.

Note: Some communities start Shabbat early in the summer. In such communities, everyone must follow the local custom and light Shabbos candles at the time the rest of the community lights.

Shekiah - Sunset:

  • The moment when the top edge of the sun’s disk disappears from view at sea level.

All mitzvahs associated with daytime should be completed by this time. It is also the appropriate time to finish Minchah. If one didn’t pray Minchah before shekiah, one may still do so afterwards.

Note: Though the day is generally considered to end at sunset, with regard to certain details of the Laws of Family Purity, one should consult a rabbinic authority for further guidance.

Bein Hashmashot - Twilight:

For some matters the time between sundown and nightfall is considered a safek yom safek laylah, a doubt whether it is still part of the daytime or the coming nighttime. Therefore all daytime mitzvahs must be completed before and nighttime mitzvahs should be fulfilled after it concludes, at tzeit.

Tzeit Hakochavim - Nightfall:

  • The point when 3 medium stars are observable in the night time sky with the naked eye.

This time is the beginning of night for all mitzvahs, including the Torah obligation of reading the evening Shema, counting the Omer, the end of fast days (except for Yom Kippur) and matters relating to the laws of Family Purity. It the preferred time to begin praying Maariv. Consult a rabbinic authority for details. The time to end Shabbat and Yom Tov is addressed below.

Shabbat and Yom Tov Ends

  • At least one cluster of three small stars is observable in the night time sky with the naked eye.

This is when Shabbat and Yom Tov ends. No melachah (forbidden labour) should be done before this time. Ma’ariv and Havdalah should begin after this time.

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