These times become longer even in Eretz Yisrael and Bavel during the summer and winter (and not shorter in the winter as some mistakenly have stated, for although the days become shorter, the time until tzet hakochavim becomes longer - see in the above sources for the reason why). The Gra answers that the times Chazal gave apply to Eretz Yisrael and Bavel (which approximately are the same distance from the equator) and for the equinox days ("yemei nissan vetishrei") when the days and nights are equal. In light of this, how could Chazal have given a time in minutes at all, if this time fluctuates from place to place and from season to season? For a short explanation please see the following teshuva of Eretz Hemdah: Secondly, around the equinox (when the days and nights are equal) in the spring and autumm the time is shorter, while both in the winter and in the summer the time becomes longer (in the summer even more than the winter).įor an in depth explanation of why this is so I recommend reading the book Zemanim Bahalacha of Rav Chaim Banish. Generally speaking, the closer you are to the equator, the shorter the time will be, while the farther you are from the equator, the longer the time will be. However, the time it takes to reach that level of darkness flactuates based on two major factors: This tells us the level of darkness and how many stars we can see. Therefore, when we want to calculate tzet hakochavim, we are really calculating a certain level of darkness, which is measured today in the degrees the sun is below the horizon. The decreasing of the light is what gradually enables us to see more and more stars, until we reach complete darkness (no light from the sun) and we can see all the visible stars. When the sun sets, the light decreases in accordance with the sun moving lower and lower than the horizon (of course not the sun is moving but rather the earth is moving). So, my question is: What would the shitah of the Gra/the Geonim be in various places in the world? What would the calculation be? When would sseth ha-kokhavim be - according to the Gr"a - in Wisconsin for instance? I have also heard that this amount of time was only a reality in Bavel and Eress Yisrael. I have a hard time believing that 14 minutes after sunset in Wisconsin would truly be night with three stars visible. However, unless it is just less possible due to street lights, etc. Others use the same shitah of calculation, but have a different definition for halikhath mil (" walk a talmudic mile"), ranging from 16 minutes to 24 minutes after sunset. What I have found is that according to the Gr"a - assuming an 18 minute mil - 13.5 minutes after sunset is definite night. how long it takes after Sheqi`ath HaHamah to become laylah/ sseth ha-kokhavim). I have been investigating the various shitoth regarding sheqiah ("sunset") and sseth ha-kokhavim (" tzeit ha-kokhavim" or, when three stars are visible) and cannot find certain info regarding the shitah of the Gr"a (and the Geonim) regarding the time it takes to walk 3/4 mil (i.e.
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