Dear Rabbi Simon,
As Shavuot approaches I have been looking into the issues around early Maariv [ie, before nightfall—close to 10:00pm in London] on the two nights of the festival. It seems to me that there is less of an issue to daven early on the second night, albeit some authorities take a stringent view. For the first night there is the issue of “seven complete weeks” understood to imply that one should not usher in the chag early, at the cost of diminishing the “completeness” of the 49th day. Even with this, however, making kiddush early on 1st night Shavuot does not seem to have the same issues as doing this on Seder night.
Please could you let me know your views on this?
Thanks,
Earl
Dear Earl-y
Thank you for your question.
In brief, there are ample grounds on which to rely to daven Maariv and make kiddush early on both nights. (Some actually endorse making kiddush early and davening Maariv later, after nightfall, however I am not touting that option.)
The issues/objections with each of these are different to one another, but the “bottom line” is that you may be lenient in both cases if enjoyment of yom tov is at stake. And yes, the restriction which applies specifically to the night(s) of the Pesach Seder is not pertinent here.
Best wishes and chag same’ach
Rabbi Rashi Simon