HALACHA OF THE WEEK: A Late Mincha
While Mincha can be recited as early as a half-hour after midday, the latest time by which Mincha must be finished is subject to debate. (For example, in many Chassidic communities, Mincha is regularly scheduled after sunset)
According to most authorities, Mincha must be recited BEFORE sunset [Mishna Berura 233:14; Aruch HaShulchan, ibid. paragraph 12; Igrot Moshe Orech Chayim 1, responsa 24]. In fact, according to some, it is better to recite Mincha on time, without a minyan, than to recite it after sunset with a minyan [Mishna Berura, ibid.]. (Others disagree and prefer a post-sunset Mincha with a minyan [Minchat Elazar 1:23 and Choveret MiBeit Levi, Nisan 5756 p. 57, responsum of Rabbi S. Wosner].)
However, because of the classic debate between Rabbeinu Tam and the Geonim as to the exact definition of "night" and of "dusk" ("bein hashmashot"), even those who generally forbid a post-sunset Mincha allow one to recite it after sunset, where there was no other choice (i.e., if one forgot to recite it on time, or was unable to do so). In such a case, Mincha may be recited up to about 20 minutes AFTER sunset [Biur Halacha 233:1].
This classic debate may be the source for those who regularly recite Mincha an hour or more AFTER sunset. As Rabbi Menashe Klein explains, since the Shulchan Aruch writes that Mincha can be recited after sunset [Orech Chayim 233:1], -- even though most authorities disagree -- they rely on its ruling and recite Mincha up to 72 minutes after sunset [Mishna Halachot vol. 7, responsum 32; see also, Shulchan Aruch HaRav, Siddur, "Seder Hachnasat Shabbat"].
Finally, suppose one enters a shul and finds that they are already reciting Maariv, but he hasn't yet recited Mincha. In that case, he should recite the Shemona Esrei of Mincha while the remaining minyan recites the Shemona Esrei of Maariv. In this way, he fulfills the mitzva of "tefilla b'tzibbur" (prayer with a minyan) even though they are reciting two different services [Mishna Berura 236:11].
DVAR TORAH
As part of their report, ten of the twelve spies described the giants who ruled the land of Israel with the following words: "And we were like grasshoppers in our eyes, and so too we were in their eyes" [Bamidbar 13:33].
Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky asked the obvious question - why did the spies begin this statement described how they felt about themselves, and only then about how the giants considered them?
And he answered that it was only because the spies were so scared and self-deprecating that the people of the land would consider them meaningless. Or, in his words, "If you consider yourself to be a rag (shmateh), others will hold you to be a rag as well!"
But if you stand up with confidence, faith, and a sense of self-worth, then to battle even giants is possible! This might be why Chaza"l reminded us that the Aleinu prayer was composed by Yehoshua, the spy who challenged the fears of his fellow spies. Because the theme of Aleinu - is confidence and our gratitude to G-d for being special, different, and a nation that believes in the power of the true G-d.
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM,– Wednesdays at 8:15pm
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR – 5:00 pm
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
