WHEN NIGHT FALLS

Question: At what time does night begin according to Jewish law?

Answer: It really all depends:

For the start of Shabbat night begins at sunset ( we light Shabbat candles eighteen minutes before that time to be safe)

For the conclusion of Shabbat we wait until 45 minutes after sunset.

For the conclusion of fast days ( excluding Yom Kippur) we wait until 30 minutes after sunset.

For the ability to say the night time shema of maariv at Bnai Torah we wait until 15 minutes after sunset.

PRIORITY IN PRAYER

Question: Assuming I can't say every tfilla entirely correct, which prayers should recieve priority?

 

Answer:

1. Reading the Shema with correct pronunciation and full concentration is better than saying the Amida with the minyan

2. Praying with concentration not as shliach tzibur, even if you have a yortzeit, is better than serving as shliach tzibbur but being unable to concentrate.

3. Reading the Shema and Amida alone with tfillin is better than praying with a minyan without tfillin.

4. Praying Mincha alone before sunset is better than praying mincha after sunset with a minyan.

5. Hearing the Torah reading but praying alone is better than praying with a minyan without hearing the Torah reading.

6. Saying the Amida at the correct time while walking or sitting ( not driving) is better than not saying it, but reciting it twice during the next tfilla.

7. Saying Hallel on Rosh Chodesh with a minyan is better than saying Amida with a minyan. ( For Sefardim the reverse applies)

8 The priority of prayers for women goes as follows:

The Amida comes before saying the shema, which comes before boruch sheamar, ashrai and yishtabach, which come before birchat hashachar, then birchat hatorah, then birchat kriyat shema, then the rest of pesukai dzimra.

PRAYING AT THE EARLY MINYAN

Question: What are the rules of davening Shacharis before sunrise?

Answer: In a case of need one can daven earlier than the preferred time. Bnai Torah accomidate those who would like a minyan for those davening at that time.  No davening should be said before Alos Hashachar ( unless it's maariv of the night before).The brachot on talit and tfillin can only be made after Mesheyakir ( the time is listed in the Prayer Time section of this website). The early minyan should pause briefly when the time of Mesheyakir arrives to allow daveners to say those brachot. If hallel is reached before Mesheyakir, and consequently tfillen removed, the tfillen should be re-worn later in the day. In such an event all three paragraphs of Kriat Shema should also be repeated later in the day while wearing tfillin.