Chapter 1 · Intro & principles

Adding to Shabbat and twilight

Lesson 5 of 55 18 min

Shabbat does not start in one second. There is a doubtful zone (bein hashmashot) and a mitzvah to add from weekday onto the holy. Map the times and their consequences.

Lesson goals

01Define twilight as doubtful day/night
02Know the source for adding to Shabbat in Yoma פ״א ע״ב (81b)
03Understand the meaning of an early "acceptance of Shabbat"

Adding from weekday onto the holy

The Gemara in Yoma (פ״א ע״ב (81b)) learns from "you shall rest your rest" that one adds from weekday onto the holy - at entry and exit. The poskim dispute whether this is Torah-level or rabbinic.

בין השמשות

The time between sunset and nightfall - possibly day, possibly night; stringencies of both days apply.

Practical consequences

1Before sunset: work permitted, but one should add time
2After accepting Shabbat: the individual or community is bound
3Twilight: a doubt, so prohibited
4Nightfall: certainly Shabbat

Insight

At Shabbat's end the structure reverses: wait until after nightfall and add time from the holy onto the weekday.

Practice

Find in a calendar: sunset, nightfall, and when your synagogue accepts Shabbat.

Lesson wrap-up

A clear boundary in time is the condition for a day of rest.

Check your understanding

Test yourself before marking the lesson complete.

Question 1 of 3

What is the status of twilight?

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