Friday, December 01, 2006

Daf Yomi - Beitza 35 - SUNSET OR NIGHTFALL?


The Gemora cited a Mishna in Terumos where there is an argument between Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua regarding one who was eating grapes on Friday and then it became dark. Rabbi Eliezer maintains that he is permitted to finish eating the grapes and Rabbi Yehoshua holds that he is not allowed to finish.

Sheorim Mitzuyanim B’halacha discusses the meaning of ‘becoming dark’. Is this referring to shekias hachama, sunset or to tzeis hakocahvim, the time that the stars come out. The Rosh Yosef infers from a Rambam that it is referring to sunset. The Rif in Pesachim 105a states explicitly that Shabbos establishes an obligation for maaser by sunset. The Ramban also agrees to this. However, it would seem from the Baal Hamaor that the Gemora is referring to actual nightfall, tzeis hakochavim.

This topic can have a far-reaching relevance in regards to Kiddush on Shabbos. The Gemora in Pesachim states that in the same manner that Shabbos establishes an obligation for maaser, it establishes an obligation for Kiddush. There is a prohibition against eating prior to Kiddush. Does this prohibition begin at sunset or at tzeis hakochavim?

The Minchas Elozar writes that there are many pious Jews who have the custom based on the Arizal to taste the food for Shabbos prior to Shabbos and they do so after sunset before mincha. Our Gemora can be used as a source to justify that custom. The Mishna Berura (271:11) rules that one is not permitted to eat on Friday evening after sunset.

2 comments:

Chaim B. said...

>>>and they do so after sunset before mincha.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this must be assuming like Rabeinu Tam that you are davening mincha after shkiyas hachama (actually, the first shkiya of R"T).

Avromi said...

yes, I'd assume something like that, but it is brought down as if the mitzva of kiddush and the issur of eating before is dependent on tzeis and not on shekiah.