Ma'ariv - Early Shabbos

QUESTION: Many congregations make an early Shabbos and daven Mincha after plag and Ma’ariv before shkia. Isn’t this a direct contradiction?

ANSWER: In a previous Halacha Yomis, we quoted the position of the Magen Avraham that one may daven mincha after plag followed by Ma’ariv before shkia if necessary in order to daven with a minyan. The Derech Hachaim (66:1) writes that on erev Shabbos, there is additional reason to daven Mincha and Ma’ariv before shkia, and that is to enable the members of the shul to be mikabel Shabbos (accept the kedusha of Shabbos) as soon as possible. The Mishnah Berurah (267:3) rejected the position of both the Magen Avraham and the Derech Hachaim because it is not supported by other poskim. However, other poskim point out that the common custom is in accordance with the Derech Hachaim (see Aruch Hashulchan 267:3), and the lenient position is followed in many shuls in America. 

Sefer Shraga Ha’Meir (5:31) suggests another consideration to allow mincha after shkia, in addition to the points made by the Magen Avraham and Derech Hachayim. Unmarried men living alone are required to light candles for Shabbos, and Shabbos candles must be lit after plag. If the congregation will daven mincha before plag, single men will have to return home after Mincha to light candles after plag, and then return to shul for the Shabbos davening. To avoid this huge inconvenience, we permit the tzibur to daven Mincha after plag and Ma’ariv immediately afterwards.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.