Shabbat Times for Toronto
Shabbat is a time of rest and spiritual work for Jewish people. It is a day when most religious Jews refrain from using electronic devices, driving or cooking.
Shabbat begins on Friday evening with a candle-lighting ceremony. The candles must be lit before sunset to maintain the integrity of Shabbat.
Mincha
Mincha is the name of the afternoon prayer service in Judaism. It's based on the word'minhah' which refers to the meal offering that accompanied each sacrifice that was offered in the Temple (Beit HaMikdash).
Minchah, like Shacharit and Maariv, is recited during the day when the sun is still above the horizon. It's a great time to take a break from work, meditate on Torah and reflect on your personal priorities.
It is said in two different periods: mincha gedola, from half an hour after halachic midday until 2 1/2 halachic hours before sunset; and mincha ketana, from 2 1/2 halachic hours before sunset until shkiyah or the moment when the sun sets.
The difference between the times of mincha gedola and mincha ketana is that in the former case, it is permitted to offer the daily sacrifice (afternoon prayer) as early as six and a half hours from sunrise, while in the latter case it is not. It is therefore preferable to pray mincha ketana, from the earliest time that one may offer the daily sacrifice until shkiyah, as this ensures that the individual will not miss the opportunity to offer it at the proper time.
Seudah Shlishit
During Seudah Shlishit, we eat a light meal and sing Shabbat songs. Some of the songs that are traditionally sung include Z'mirot (special Sabbath morning hymns), Mizmor L'David, and Yedid Nefesh.
This is a time to sing and learn Torah together. It is also a time to connect with each other.
The third Shabbat meal may be eaten from a half hour after halachic Mincha, or as late as one wishes to extend it. However, one should ideally begin this meal before sunset.
Maariv
The evening service, known as Maariv (Ashekenazim and Sephardim) or Arvit (Sephardim), is the third of the three daily prayers. It was instituted by the patriarch Jacob.
Maariv can be said anytime from nightfall until the break of dawn. In addition to the Shema and its nighttime blessings, the service usually includes Psalm 121, Barechu, Aleinu, and the mourners’ Kaddish.
Unlike Shaharit and Minhah, which have very proscribed time frames, Maariv does not. In fact, it is referred to as “ein la keva” (“without a fixed time”) in the Mishnah Berakhot.
If a person misses the Maariv prayer, they must make it up by davening Shacharis twice. This is because the Maariv service was originally considered optional.
Havdallah
Havdallah (hbdlh), the ceremony that marks Shabbat’s separation from the week, can be a dramatic and moving moment for any family. It’s a beautiful, multi-sensory ceremony that engages the senses of sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing.
During this time, the lights are dimmed and different people hold a braided candle, a spice box filled with spices, a kiddush cup holding wine or grape juice and a blessing. The havdalah blessings are recited in Hebrew or English by either one person or all together.
After the havdalah is completed, it’s customary for participants to sing a song. Two popular songs are Eliyahu Hanavi, which means “Eliejah the Prophet,” and HaMavdil Bein Kodesh L’khol, which translates to “Blessed is He Who distinguishes Holy from ordinary/weekday.” This tradition is especially meaningful for children who don’t have the opportunity to attend synagogue on Saturday evening. It’s also a great way for families to come together as a whole and celebrate the end of Shabbat.