Shabbat: Three Stars
Question
Dear Rabbi,
My Jewish girlfriend is teaching me, slowly, all of the customs and traditions. It is fascinating, but a very slow process for me. I am not afraid to admit that I am using “Shalom Sesame” as a supplemental. I learned that the definition of “after sunset” was when three stars are visible in the sky.
To finally get to my question, I have posited that three was used, because Mercury and Venus are both visible at sunrise and set. The third star would be one that is only visible in a darkening sky.
I look forward to a Jewish history and astrology lesson.
Answers
The Talmud explains that in order to know when the night has begun (which has tremendous significance as the Jewish day begins at night) there needs to be a simple visual method of measuring, at which point it is definitely night time. Three big stars can be seen too easily in the sky as it darkens, and it may not yet be night. Three small stars are harder to spot, and they mean that it is past the moment that it becomes night. Three medium stars, however, are small enough to indicate that the night has just fallen and that is why they are used for this indication of nightfall.
Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team