[HANASHIR:3532] Re: HANASHIR digest 606

[Benjo <bfleisch...>]

i lost the header for who said this:<<
 Since we're allowed to do Havdallah until Wednesday, I say we extend
 the opening of Shabbat at least through Saturday morning at least to
 be able to sing cool L'chah Dodi melodies...
<<
The Wednesday rule only applies if you start Shabbat on time. Lets all try
that before worrying about when to end it.     
>>>>

my understanding is that shabbat begins at one of three times: when the 
sun falls below the trees (18 minutes after candle-lighting), when you 
light the candles, or when you say mizmor shir l'yom hashabbat, whichever 
comes first.  of course, that's only true if it matters when shabbat 
starts.  personally, i find it meaningful to work within the tradition's 
laws even if i cannot begin to understand all of them. however, in this 
case, one does need a time to begin shabbat and, as every Jew knows, 
holidays begin the night before.  the only reason i can imagine for doing 
l'cha dodi (and I haven't been following the list up till now) is that 
people don't go to services or welcome shabbat on their own and should be 
familiarized with traditional jewish liturgy.  as per making it a regular 
part of shabbat morning service seems a little strange as a later post 
pointed out.
so, that's the halachah as I recall it. do with it as you please

later
-Benjamin

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