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From: sms@eisx.UUCP (Samuel Saal)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Re: when is the Sabbath?
Message-ID: <852@eisx.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 29-Jan-85 16:33:56 EST
Article-I.D.: eisx.852
Posted: Tue Jan 29 16:33:56 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 30-Jan-85 19:18:04 EST
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Lee Gold, in his article on this net, mentions a "difficulty"
with celebrating Tu Bi'shevat and Sukkot in Australia. If we
assume he asks this question 1) because the seasons are
"reversed" in the southern hemisphere and 2) in a true quest for
knowledge, then I will answer him as a good Jew; with a question.
Is Tu Bi'shevat celebrated here (in the US) at the correct time?
We celebrate it in February.  There is frequently snow on the
ground and any self respecting tree would not start its "rebirth"
at that time of year. If I were a tree, I would certainly wait at
least another couple of months. When my apartment is cold, I
don't feel like getting out of bed earlier than I must either
(add the appropriate number of ":-)"). All this is a tongue in
cheek way of saying that though we gear our days to the local
clock (as far as starting Shabbat), we gear our holidays (ie
year) to Israel. By the time Tu Bi'shevat comes around the
weather in Israel has improved and it really is spring.
Therefore, the notion of moving the holidays around is moot.

As far as Mr Gold's family moving the second Seder to late
afternoon of what is still the first day, that question is also
not an issue. If you want to *really* follow the rules you start
at the correct time. Once you start breaking the rules, that is
your own business but don't ask how to break them according to
Halachah!

Now don't start with "what if you eat on Yom Kippur? Can you
still Bench (say grace after meals)." It is not "breaking any
rules" for a person who is not allowed to eat to on Yom Kippur.
The Rabbis have dealt with this question and there are Halachot
to cover just such an occasion. Some people are *not allowed* to
fast so essentially they are told not to give up an opportunity
to thank God, so Bench. (not everyone agrees that you *should*
Bench, but as one who is not allowed to fast, this is the way I
learned to approach the question. I would prefer to be able to
fast.) Please note: I am not "poskin-ing" for anyone. I am merely
explaining what I personally do.

Finally as far as the correct time to begin Shabbat on the North
Pole, I believe that there is a recent responsa on the issue. I
have not seen it and am not familiar with any details (like who
the author is), but I believe that the start time is interpolated
from outside the Arctic circle. Sorry about the obtuseness of
that answer, but my memory for details is poor and I don't
remember anything more than the notion of interpolation/extra-
polation was included in the solution.

Sam Saal      ..!{ihnp4}!eisx!sms
Vayiphtach HaShem et pee Ha'atone.