Hi Rabbi
Can you recommend a good website with a Luach (calendar) for the latest times for Shema/Amidah throughout the year?
Many thanks
Paul
Hi Paul
TY for your practical question.
I have an app on my phone (free, but with some advertising) called Simple Luach. Works everywhere in the world (pretty much). IMO the times are halakhically accurate, except for the earliest times for prayer in the morning (before sunrise) which are a bit permissive. I would not sanction saying the blessings of Shema, etc., until 72 minutes before sunrise at the earliest. It is best to wait for Tallit and Tefillin until 40-45 minutes before sunrise if possible. Personally, this time of year (19 December), when sunrise (in London) is after 8:00am GMT, I put on Tallit and Tefillin at the beginning of the prayers (ie, 7:00am at Kesher), but I only say the berakhah on them after the Amidah. One can also do this after Yishtabach, but since I am serving as ba’al tefillah (during the 11 months since my mother’s passing) it is not convenient for me to do so then.
Rabbi Rashi Simon,