עברית
Halachot and Customs
When Does a Day Begin in Judaism
Question
I heard that in Judaism, the following day begins at sunset, some say after midnight, and some say that the day only begins at sunrise... I'm interested in knowing when my Hebrew birthday is; I was born on the 12th of Elul at 7:30 PM and wanted to know if this means that I was born on the 13th, because it's after sunset, thus making my Hebrew birthday the 13th of Elul, or is it still considered the 12th of Elul since it is not after midnight and not at sunrise? I would appreciate an answer. Sincerely, Shani
Answer
Hello and blessings,
The day begins at nightfall, approximately twenty-five minutes after sunset.
The time between sunset and nightfall is considered twilight, which means there is uncertainty whether it belongs to the previous day or the coming day.
Since on the 12th of Elul, nightfall coincides roughly with your birth time, it cannot be definitively determined whether your birthday falls on the 12th of Elul or the 13th of Elul.
One must also consider the year of your birth, as the time of sunset on the 12th of Elul does not always occur at the same hour; it depends on the solar (Gregorian) calendar date.
Additionally, according to halacha, the emergence of the head of the infant is already considered a birth. Minutes before the medical determination of birth is already counted as birth according to halacha.
Best of luck, Menashe Yisrael
The day begins at nightfall, approximately twenty-five minutes after sunset.
The time between sunset and nightfall is considered twilight, which means there is uncertainty whether it belongs to the previous day or the coming day.
Since on the 12th of Elul, nightfall coincides roughly with your birth time, it cannot be definitively determined whether your birthday falls on the 12th of Elul or the 13th of Elul.
One must also consider the year of your birth, as the time of sunset on the 12th of Elul does not always occur at the same hour; it depends on the solar (Gregorian) calendar date.
Additionally, according to halacha, the emergence of the head of the infant is already considered a birth. Minutes before the medical determination of birth is already counted as birth according to halacha.
Best of luck, Menashe Yisrael
