When Does the Day Begin?

Question

Dear Rabbi,

Why does Shabbat begin on Friday evening instead of at midnight?

Thank you

0

Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    In the Jewish calendar, each and every day begins with the evening and ends with the following evening. This is true not only for the Shabbat and the Holidays, but also for each and every calendar date. They all begin at sundown.

    So, for example, a baby born in the evening has a different birth-date than a baby born before sundown. Why is this so? In describing the order of Creation, the Torah says “There was darkness on the face of the deep; and God said ‘Let there be light’ and there was light.” Clearly, the darkness existed before the light. Similarly, the description of each day ends with the phrase “and it was evening, and it was morning…” Again, the evening precedes the morning. Therefore, the “Jewish day” begins in the evening.

    This symbolizes classic Jewish optimism: If it’s dark in the beginning, don’t despair. It will end in great light!

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team