Alot HaShachar (עלות השחר)
Dawn
The earliest sign of daylight, roughly 72 minutes before sunrise (some hold 90 min). The earliest time to put on tallit and tefillin, and the start time for many halachic fast days.
Jewish Zmanim Guide — Halachic Times & Prayer Times
זמנים
Zmanim are the halachic times that govern when Jewish prayers, mitzvot, Shabbat, and Yom Tov begin and end. They are calculated from the sun's position at your specific location, so they change daily and by city. This guide explains each zman and how to find accurate times for your city.
Find Zmanim For Your City
Zmanim change daily and depend on your latitude, longitude, and elevation. Use one of these trusted calculators to look up today's times for your location:
- MyZmanim.com — highly accurate, city-level zmanim with multiple opinions.
- Hebcal Zmanim — free, integrates with Google/Apple calendars.
- Chabad.org Zmanim — Chabad shita and general opinions side by side.
- OU Zmanim — Orthodox Union daily zmanim service.
The Zmanim Explained
Misheyakir (משיכיר)
Earliest tallit & tefillin
When there is enough light to recognize a casual acquaintance from four amot away — about 50 minutes before sunrise. The preferred earliest time for tallit and tefillin.
Netz HaChama (נץ החמה)
Sunrise
Sunrise. The ideal (l'chatchila) time to begin the Amidah of Shacharit — 'tefillah k'vatikin.'
Sof Zman Kriat Shema (סוף זמן קריאת שמע)
Latest Shema
The latest time to recite the morning Shema — end of the third halachic hour of the day. Magen Avraham and Gra/Baal HaTanya give different times; most communities follow the Gra opinion for the deadline.
Sof Zman Tefillah (סוף זמן תפילה)
Latest Shacharit
The latest time to recite the morning Amidah — end of the fourth halachic hour of the day.
Chatzot (חצות היום)
Midday
Solar noon — the midpoint between sunrise and sunset. On fast days many halachot shift at chatzot; it is also the earliest time for Mincha (via Mincha Gedola, a half-hour later).
Mincha Gedola (מנחה גדולה)
Earliest Mincha
The earliest time for the afternoon Mincha prayer — half a halachic hour after chatzot.
Mincha Ketana (מנחה קטנה)
Preferred Mincha
The preferred time for Mincha per many poskim — 2.5 halachic hours before sunset.
Plag HaMincha (פלג המנחה)
Plag
1.25 halachic hours before sunset. The earliest time to accept Shabbat / Yom Tov early, and (per one opinion) to daven Maariv.
Shkiah (שקיעה)
Sunset
Sunset. Shabbat and Yom Tov begin at (or shortly before) shkiah, with candle-lighting typically 18 minutes earlier (40 min in Jerusalem).
Tzeit HaKochavim (צאת הכוכבים)
Nightfall
Nightfall — three medium stars visible. Ends Shabbat, Yom Tov, and fast days. Commonly 42–72 minutes after sunset depending on the opinion followed.
Chatzot HaLaila (חצות הלילה)
Halachic midnight
Midpoint between sunset and sunrise. Latest time for Tikkun Chatzot; the Seder must be completed by chatzot on Pesach night per many opinions.
Halachic Hours (Sha'ot Zmaniyot)
A halachic hour is one twelfth of the daytime, not a fixed 60 minutes. Long summer days have long halachic hours; short winter days have short ones. Two main opinions define when the day begins and ends:
- Gra / Baal HaTanya: Daytime runs from Netz HaChama (sunrise) to Shkiah (sunset). The more common shita in most communities today.
- Magen Avraham: Daytime runs from Alot HaShachar (dawn) to Tzeit HaKochavim (nightfall). Yields earlier deadlines for Shema and Tefillah.
Most zmanim calculators display both opinions. Follow the shita your rav or community uses.
Zmanim on Shabbat & Yom Tov
Candle-lighting is typically 18 minutes before Shkiah (40 minutes in Jerusalem, 30 in some communities). Shabbat and Yom Tov end at Tzeit HaKochavim — the exact number of minutes after sunset depends on the opinion (42, 50, or 72 minutes are common). For fast days, most fasts begin at Alot HaShachar and end at Tzeit HaKochavim; Tisha B'Av and Yom Kippur begin at Shkiah the previous evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Jewish zmanim?
Zmanim (זמנים, 'times') are the halachic times that govern when Jewish prayers, mitzvot, and Shabbat/Yom Tov begin and end. They are calculated from the movement of the sun at your specific location, so they vary daily and by city.
How are halachic hours calculated?
A halachic hour (sha'ah zmanit) is 1/12 of the daytime. Daytime is measured either from sunrise to sunset (Gra / Baal HaTanya) or from Alot HaShachar to Tzeit HaKochavim (Magen Avraham). The relevant zmanim depend on which shita your community follows.
How do I find zmanim for my city?
Use a zmanim calculator that takes latitude, longitude, and elevation. Popular tools include MyZmanim, Hebcal, Chabad.org's zmanim page, and the OU's zmanim service. Enter your city or ZIP for daily times.
Why do two calendars show different times?
Different poskim use different opinions for Alot HaShachar (72 vs 90 minutes), Tzeit HaKochavim (42 vs 50 vs 72 minutes), and how to calculate halachic hours (Gra vs Magen Avraham). Ask your rav which shita your community follows.