#145: The End of Shabbat (Part 1)
- Shabbat ends at “tzeit hakochavim” (when the stars emerge), which is defined for purposes of Shabbat as the emergence of three small size stars, plus a few additional minutes to fulfill the mitzvah of adding on to Shabbat (Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 293:2; Mishnah Berurah 293:5). The calculation of the time of nightfall is quite complex. In short, the accepted calculation today follows the approach of the Geonim and the Vilna Gaon who place nightfall shortly after sunset (shekiah) and twilight (bein hashemashot).
- Some follow the opinion of Rabbeinu Tam — that nightfall is 72 minutes after sunset. This is actually the opinion of the Shulchan Aruch as well. R. Ovadia Yosef recommends that Sephardim follow this approach (Yabia Omer, O.C. 2:21). In the next few posts, we will discuss more details concerning the precise time that Shabbat ends according to each opinion.
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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.
