Halachot and Customs
Is Tachanun said after sunset?
Question
Greetings and blessings,
I wanted to ask according to halacha about reciting Tachanun in the Mincha prayer that is close to sunset. I understand that there are conflicting opinions, and I would appreciate clarification on the matter according to Ashkenazim and Sephardim.
Thank you very much
Answer
Greetings,
Among both Ashkenazim and Sephardim, Tachanun is said in the Mincha prayer if the sun has not yet set.
And if the sun has already set, and 13 and a half minutes have not yet passed from sunset, which is defined as bein hashmashot, then according to the opinion of Rav Ovadia Yosef zt"l, one may still say Tachanun as usual (Yechaveh Daat, part 6, siman 7). However, the custom of Ashkenazim in the Land of Israel and also in most places outside the Land of Israel is not to say Tachanun (see Piskei Teshuvot, siman 131, seif 13).
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
