{"id":6522,"date":"2010-01-25T05:00:01","date_gmt":"2010-01-25T03:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ph.yhb.org.il\/en\/?p=6522"},"modified":"2018-05-24T12:18:31","modified_gmt":"2018-05-24T09:18:31","slug":"02-25-05","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ph.yhb.org.il\/en\/02-25-05\/","title":{"rendered":"05 – The Time to Recite Keriat Shema Begins at Tzeit HaKochavim"},"content":{"rendered":"
The time to recite the evening Keriat Shema<\/i> is \u201cwhen you lie down\u201d \u2013 when people lie on their beds to sleep, which starts when it gets dark. The Chachamim<\/i> established a sign for the beginning of this time, when three medium-sized stars can be seen in the sky. This is because large stars are also visible during the day or at bein hashemashot <\/i>(twilight). However, when three medium-size stars (according to the naked eye) emerge after them, it is a sign that night has begun (HaZemanim BaHalachah<\/i> chapters 49-50). This time is called tzeit hakochavim<\/i>. To avoid error, and to prevent mistaking big stars for medium ones, the Rishonim<\/i> write that one must wait until he sees three small stars appear in the sky (Talmidei Rabbeinu Yonah<\/i>; Shulchan Aruch<\/i> 235:1).<\/p>\n
However, here an uncertainty arises: how do we establish the time of tzeit hakochavim<\/i>? Some say that the time of tzeit hakochavim<\/i> is established according to those with good eyesight, and who know where the first stars are located. They can see the three medium stars approximately eighteen minutes after sunset, and sometimes even fifteen minutes after sunset. This is also implied from the Talmud (Shabbat<\/i> 35b), which states that the time between sunset and tzeit hakochavim<\/i> is the walking distance of three-quarters of a mil<\/i>, which is approximately between thirteen-and-a-half minutes to eighteen minutes. Others say that it is established according to the majority of people, for most people discern three medium stars approximately 25 to 30 minutes after sunset. All this is said in reference to medium stars. However, as mentioned previously, the Rishonim<\/i> write to wait until three small stars are visible; therefore, it is necessary to wait another few minutes.<\/p>\n
In practice, many are accustomed to start praying Ma\u2019ariv<\/i> approximately 20 minutes after sunset, for that is the halachah according to the majority of poskim<\/i>. L’chatchilah<\/i>, it is best to start Ma\u2019ariv <\/i>approximately 30 minutes after sunset. One who prays in a minyan<\/i> in which Keriat Shema<\/i> was recited before 30 minutes passed from sunset, should go back and repeat the first paragraph of Shema<\/i> after Aleinu L\u2019Shabe\u2019ach<\/i> in order to avoid uncertainty. Those who wish to be stringent say V\u2019Hayah Im Shamo\u2019a<\/i> as well. There are those who also add Vayomer.<\/i>[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n