Prayer and Blessings
Until what time may one recite Keriat Shema al haMitah?
Keriat Shema al haMitah and Tachanun timing
Question
Hello, Rabbi,
I wanted to ask:
1. Until what time at night is it permitted to say Keriat Shema al haMitah?
2. On days when Tachanun is not recited, until what time is it permitted not to say Tachanun?
Thank you very much!
Answer
Shalom rav,
1. One may say Keriat Shema al haMitah with the blessing of HaMapil if you estimate that you will fall asleep before alot haShachar.
Sources: See Beur Halacha (siman 239 סעיף 1 ד"h סמוך), Chazon Ovadia Berachot (page תקט), and Halacha Berurah (siman 239, in Biur Halacha אות יא).
2. On all those days on which Tachanun is not recited in tefillah, such as Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, and the entire month of Nisan, etc. (the days on which Tachanun is not recited are listed in the siddur before the Tachanun prayer) - Vidui is not recited in Keriat Shema al haMitah. Even on the evening after such days, one who goes to sleep before midnight does not recite Vidui in Keriat Shema al haMitah.
Sources: This was also written by the Chida, ztz"l, in Machazik Berachah (siman shin, seif katan ה) בשם המהר"ם זכות in his responsa, siman 30, that he received this from the Ari, ztz"l. And Rav Chaim Palagi, ztz"l, wrote in Kaf HaChaim (siman 32, seif 64) בשם Chesed LaAlafim, that the same ruling applies even on the evening after Rosh Chodesh and Chanukah.
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
