DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Halacha is In Memory of
 Fivel Ben Shmuel
"For the greatest grandfather anyone could wish for. Your example is engraved in my heart. I wish Hashem gives you a full alyiah in the shmayim..."

Dedicated By
Gedaliah Hanoch Ben Hayim

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
      
(File size: 534 KB)
Tosefet Shabbat: Accepting Shabbat Several Minutes Before Sunset

The Halacha of "Tosefot Shabbat" (adding onto Shabbat) requires extending Shabbat on either end, both before sundown on Friday, and after dark on Saturday evening. Therefore, a person must accept upon himself the Shabbat prohibitions several minutes before sundown on Friday afternoon, rather than waiting for these laws to take effect automatically at sundown.

Practically speaking, this means that one must accept Shabbat immediately after reciting Minha in the synagogue on Friday afternoon. One cannot accept Shabbat before reciting Minha, because Minha is a weekday prayer, and thus it must be recited before the onset of Shabbat. Therefore, immediately after reciting the silent Amida of Minha, when a few minutes still remain until sundown, one should accept upon himself the Shabbat prohibitions. According to Halacha, one does not have to verbally declare his acceptance of Shabbat; mental acceptance suffices to fulfill the requirement of Tosefet Shabbat. According to Kabbala, however, it is proper to verbalize one's acceptance of Shabbat, and therefore upon completing the Amida of Minha on Shabbat afternoon, one should declare "Bo'i Kala" ("Come, O bride!") to verbally accept Shabbat and thereby fulfill the obligation of Tosefet Shabbat.

Summary: Halacha requires one to accept the Shabbat prohibitions several minutes before sundown on Friday afternoon. Therefore, after reciting the Amida of Minha before Shabbat, one should declare "Bo'i Kala" and thereby accept upon himself the onset of Shabbat.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
The Prohibitions of Misleading or Insulting Another Person
Is it Permissible to Study Secular Philosophy?
When is it Appropriate or Inappropriate to Report Bad Tidings?
Is It Permissible To Wear A Wool Tzitzit Under A Linen Shirt or Is It A Violation of Shatnez
Announcing a Fast Day in the Synagogue on the Preceding Shabbat
Barech Alienu for Travelers to and From Israel
Traveling on Ereb Shabbat
Maintaining Peace in One’s Financial Dealings
Birkat Ha'gomel: The Meaning of the Words, and Whether a Child Recites the Beracha
Reciting Tefilat Ha’derech
Hanukah – If One Does Not Have Enough Oil For All the Candles
Hanukah – Lighting a Menorah That Has a “Back”
Is Birkat Ha’gomel Required After Taking a Cruise on the Kinneret?
Synagogue Decorum and The Prohibition Against Speaking During Torah Reading – In the Wake of the Har Nof Tragedy
The Status of Pasteurized Wine
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found