Making up a missed Shema

Hi,

There are those who rule that if a man does not say Shema at the appropriate time (see yesterday's email), he should recite it twice at the next opportunity. Thus if one missed it in the morning, he would recite it once at the evening service that night and then repeat it after the evening service. [This is not relevant for women, because the time restrictions apply only to men.]

This later recitation would not serve as a true "make-up" for that morning; it would be considered to fulfill a separate obligation.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 58:7; Mishneh Berurah 58:28)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The latest time for the morning Shema

Hi,

The morning recitation of Shema must take place before one quarter of the day has elapsed. That one-quarter is measured either by quartering the time between sunrise and sunset (position of the Vilna Gaon) or by quartering the time between first light and the emergence of the stars (position of the Magen Avraham, which yields a significantly earlier time).

One who misses that time should still recite Shema; if nothing else, he will have recited verses of Torah, and that act has its own merit.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 58:6, 70:1; Mishneh Berurah 70:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The earliest time for the morning Shema

Hi,

The earliest time to recite the morning Shema is when there is enough light that one could recognize a somewhat familiar friend at a distance of six to eight feet. However, a person who absolutely will not be able to recite Shema between that time and the latest acceptable time may say it earlier, from the very first light.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 58:1,3; Mishneh Berurah 58:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai