Melacha During Ben Hashemashot

Melacha During Ben Hashemashot Day: Friday Date: November 6, 2015 Parshat: Hayei Sarah Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 342 In memory of Avraham Asher ben Tzadika As far as the Torah is concerned a new day begins at sunset and continues until the next sunset. It is unclear however, whether the first 13 and a half minutes after shekia (sunset) are still part of the previous day or if they are part of the incoming new day. These thirteen minutes are called ben hashemashot. Our Hachamim did not intend for their protective Shabbat related prohibitions to apply during ben hashemashot. Therefore it is permissible during Ben hashemashot going into Shabbat and out of Shabbat to have melachot Derabanan done either for a mitzvah or if there is a great need. However, this is only true for a person who has accepted Shabbat by himself without a minyan. A person who accepted Shabbat in the synagogue together with the congregation is fully bound to all of the Derabanan prohibitions. A woman who realized during ben hashemashot that she forgot to light candles may ask a non Jew to light for her, without a beracha of course. However if there is enough light in the house without the candles this may not be done. A woman who during ben hashemashot realized that she did not take Hala from the dough, or that she did not pray Minha may do so at that time. DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org