Zmanim (Halachic Times)

Zmanim are halachically significant points and periods within the day. This page explains what the times mean; the separate How Time Is Measured page explains regular, proportional, strict proportional, and equivalent or solar-angle calculations.

A zman’s name describes its place or purpose in the halachic day. It does not by itself specify one universal clock time. The selected shita determines how Kaluach calculates that zman for the date and location.

Morning zmanim

Alot hashachar

Dawn: the first emergence of light in the eastern sky and the beginning of the transition from halachic night to day. It is not sunrise. Different authorities identify Alot through a solar angle, equivalent minutes, fixed minutes, or proportional minutes before Hanetz hachama, so the displayed time depends on the selected shita.

Misheyakir

The stage of morning light at which one can recognize a casual acquaintance at a short distance. It is the ordinary earliest threshold for tallit and tefillin. Because that visual description is difficult to reproduce exactly, calendars use either a solar-angle definition or a specified interval before Hanetz.

The Rambam writes about the time for putting on tefillin: “From when is the time to put them on? From when one can see his fellow at a distance of four cubits and recognize him.”

Hanetz hachama — zerichat hachama

Sunrise: the instant the first part of the sun appears above the horizon. Zerichat hachama or zericha refers to the same event; it does not mean waiting for the entire solar disk to appear. Kaluach uses the grammatically precise hanetz, not “netz.”

Sof zman Shema

The final time for the morning recitation of Shema. It occurs three proportional hours into the halachic day, but the beginning, end, and therefore length of that day depend on the selected method. A Magen Avraham result is generally earlier than a GRA result.

Sof zman Tefillah

The final time for the morning Amidah under the selected method. It occurs four proportional hours into that method’s defined day. As with Shema, two methods can produce different deadlines because they use different boundaries for the day.

Midday and afternoon zmanim

Chatzot hayom

Halachic midday. Kaluach normally presents solar noon. It should not automatically be reconstructed as six hours into every extended dawn-to-nightfall day; method-specific guides identify any different treatment.

Mincha gedolah

The earliest ordinary time for the afternoon Mincha prayer, shortly after Chatzot. The familiar half-hour delay may be calculated as 30 regular minutes, half a proportional hour, or strict proportional time, depending on the selected opinion.

Mincha ketanah

The later Mincha period, beginning nine and a half proportional hours into the defined day. Its name reflects that the portion of the day remaining afterward is shorter than the period following Mincha Gedolah.

Plag hamincha

The halfway point of the final two and a half proportional hours of the day: one and a quarter proportional hours before the selected endpoint. Plag can be relevant to early acceptance of Shabbat, candle lighting, and the timing of evening prayer according to the practice being followed.

Sunset and nightfall

Knissat Shabbat and candle lighting

The local time for accepting or preparing to enter Shabbat, normally expressed as a community’s fixed offset before Shkiat hachama. The familiar 18-, 30-, and 40-minute practices are examples of local convention; the appropriate practice is not universal.

Shkiat hachama

Sunset: the instant the last part of the sun disappears below the horizon. Shkiah begins the transition away from definite daytime.

Bein hashmashot

The uncertain twilight interval between halachic day and halachic night. Its practical treatment is generally stringent in both directions where a Torah obligation is involved.

Tzeit hakochavim

Halachic nightfall—the end of Bein hashmashot according to the selected opinion. Some methods use the visibility of stars, some a solar angle, and others fixed or proportional intervals after Shkiah. For that reason, “Tzeit” is not one universal clock interval.

Tzeit Shabbat

The displayed end of Shabbat or Yom Tov. It combines a selected nightfall definition with the applicable practice of adding time beyond the minimum boundary. Communities use several established methods, including star- or angle-based calculations and variations associated with Rabbeinu Tam.

Fast and Pesach zmanim

Tchilat taanit

The beginning of a minor fast, normally at the applicable Alot hashachar. Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av begin the previous evening and are not governed by this morning threshold.

Sof taanit

The end of a fast at the applicable Tzeit hakochavim. The selected ending opinion may differ between major and minor fasts and according to community practice.

Sof achilat chametz

The final time for eating chametz on Erev Pesach. It is calculated four proportional hours into the applicable halachic day.

Sof biur chametz

The final time for disposing of or nullifying chametz on Erev Pesach. It is calculated five proportional hours into the applicable halachic day.

Night

Chatzot halaylah

Halachic midnight. Its calculation depends on the night boundaries used by the selected method; it is commonly represented as the midpoint of the relevant night.