The proper time of Krias Shema vol. 4, no. 21
As we have discussed in previous issues, the mitzvah of reciting Krias Shema must be performed within certain time limits. The morning Shema must be recited before a quarter of the daylight hours have passed.1 The evening Shema should be recited when it is certainly night.2 During the summer some practical problems arise in regard to fulfilling these criteria properly.
On Shabbos, most shuls
start their services late enough that they will not reach the recitation of Shema until
after a quarter of the day has passed. For instance in the Chicago area, the latest
time for Shema will be around 9 a.m. for a number of weeks. Obviously shuls which
start their services close to this time will not recite the Shema as a congregation at the
proper time.
It is recommended that each congregant recite Shema on his own before he goes to
shul.3 One need only to recite the three paragraphs of the Shema without reciting
the blessings of the Shema. He can then recite the Shema with its blessings when he
prays with the congregation.
During the summer it is common that congregations will accept Shabbos early, davening
Ma’ariv while it is still daytime. Krias Shema is recited well before
night. Therefore congregants should make sure to recite the Shema later on in the
night.4 They only need to recite the three paragraphs of the Shema and should
not repeat the blessings.
One should always be careful to recite the evening Shema before chatzos, halachic
midnight. It should be noted that according to one commonly accepted approach,
chatzos is approximately 12:00 a.m. throughout the year.5
Even during the week many shuls recite the evening Krias Shema well before the proper time
since they daven Ma’ariv directly after Minchah, only a few minutes after
sunset. Therefore one should also make sure to recite Krias Shema in its proper time
on his own during the week.
1)Mishneh Brurah 58:5 2) ibid 235:1 3) ibid 58:5; 46:31 4)ibid 235:6 5)Igros Moshe
