Halachic Times

The time for reciting maariv (the evening prayers) extends throughout the night. Nevertheless, the sages were concerned that people would delay the recitation of the biblically mandated nighttime Shema – which is recited as part of the maariv – until the ...

Rochel Question: Does the Torah discuss or allude to the fact that the Shabbat is to be kept according to Jerusalem time or should it be kept according to one's local time? Are we to honor Jerusalem by keeping Shabbat on her time? Answer: Your question is...

Question: Are you sure your candle-lighting times for Palm Springs, CA are correct? The times provided on the Chabad.org candle-lighting times page seem to be a half hour off other California cities. Please advise. Answer: Yes, Palm Springs has special ru...

Why do Jewish holidays begin at nightfall? For example, Purim starts this Monday night, and is over Tuesday night, and that is considered one day.

The Talmud Brachot 26a. asks the same question, and answers that the source is the verse: "And it was evening and it was morning, one day." Genesis 1:5. From there the Talmud infers that the day follows the night. See also Why do Jewish holidays begin at ...

The Senate just voted to extend Daylight Saving time right through the winter. What does this mean for Torah-observant Jews?

Space travel presents its own unique challenges to the Jewish astronaut: How can one procure kosher space food, as well as all the other necessities of Jewish life? How does one face Jerusalem when praying in orbit? However, the greatest challenge of all ...

Since the Jewish day changes at nightfall (and the night generally begins when the stars come out), this brings to mind a number of halachic challenges for observing mitzvot.

You've touched on a subject which is discussed at great length in various sources in Jewish literature. There are differing opinions on the halachic definition of sundown, and the 12th century French Talmudic scholar Rabbeinu Tam is renowned for his opini...

Question: During the summer months, my community begins the Shabbat eve services on Friday afternoon, well before sunset, commencing an "early Shabbat." At that point, is it Friday or Shabbat? If it is Friday how can we make the Shabbat Kiddush before nig...