Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, runs from Friday night to Saturday night. It’s a 25 hour period of rest and reflection. That said, determining when exactly Shabbat ends is easier said than done. Shabbat ends at nightfall on Saturday, but like many parts of Jewish tradition, there are lots of different opinions on when exactly “nightfall” occurs.
Read on to learn all about when Shabbat ends, how to calculate Shabbat's end time, and what to do when Shabbat is over.
What is Shabbat?
Shabbat is the Jewish holy day of rest, held every Friday at sundown to Saturday at nightfall. It commemorates the creation of the earth. God created the world in 6 days, then rested on the 7th day. We, too, rest every 7th day to remember His creation.
How Shabbat is celebrated
Specific Shabbat rituals vary from person to person and community to community. The most strict observers of Shabbat refrain from working, using electricity, driving, cooking, and other types of work on Shabbat, and instead focus on prayer and reflection. Others may stick to simple Shabbat rituals of candle lighting, Kiddush, and challah, followed by a Shabbat dinner. How exactly you celebrate Shabbat is up to you.
When Does Shabbat End?
Shabbat ends at nightfall on Saturday. That may sound simple, but the question of “nightfall” is fairly complex. To determine when exactly that occurs, we use a concept known as tzeit hakochavim, which directly translates to “the emergence of the stars.” This occurs when three stars are visible in the sky. It marks the endtime for all Jewish holidays. Once three stars are visible, it’s time for Shabbat to end.
How is Shabbat End Time Calculated?
You may be wondering, what happens when the sky is cloudy? This is just one of the reasons the time Shabbat ends is calculated in advance for every day of the week. While it would be easy to say, Shabbat ends at 6:30 every Saturday, that simply isn’t the way it works. Jewish law defines nightfall by the level of darkness, rather than the time, so Shabbat’s end time is different nearly every day.
There are a few different ways to calculate what time Shabbat ends in advance. Communities typically choose one method and stick with it. The most common approaches you will see include:
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Standard nightfall: Many congregations and calendars choose a specific time after local sunset to determine when Shabbat ends. Generally, this happens roughly 40 to 50 minutes after local sunset.
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72-minute opinion: Rabbeinu Tam, a 12th-century Rabbi, developed the 72-minute opinion, which many follow to this day. According to Tam, Shabbat ends exactly 72 minutes after sunset.
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Degree-based methods: Other calendars use the sun’s angle below the horizon to pinpoint nightfall.
How location and season influences what time Shabbat ends
Because Shabbat end time depends on darkness, both location and season have a significant influence on what time Shabbat ends. Night falls faster closer to the equator, while high latitudes experience prolonged twilight in summer and shorter twilight in winter. Because of this, nightfall may occur 35 minutes after sunset in one city, and more than an hour after sunset in another.
End of Shabbat Rituals: Havdalah
To mark the end of Shabbat, we participate in a ritual known as Havdalah. During Havdalah, we use wine or grape juice, fragrant spices, and a braided candle. When Shabbat ends, we recite a prayer, light the candles, drink the wine, and smell the spices. These practices provide us a gentle transition out of holy time and back into the week.
Debunking Common Myths About Shabbat Ending
There are a number of common myths when it comes to what time Shabbat ends. Let’s debunk some of the most popular:
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Shabbat ends later when it’s cloudy: This is incorrect. Clouds do not move the time that Shabbat ends, as nightfall is tied to the sun’s position, not cloud cover. Shabbat ends at the same time no matter the weather.
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Shabbat ends at sundown: While Shabbat begins at sundown, it ends at nightfall, which is when three stars are visible in the sky.
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Shabbat always ends at the same time: One official global time does not exist. Each city’s time is unique to its sunset and twilight.
Have a More Meaningful Shabbat with Oneg
Shabbat is a meaningful and intentional step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. When the sun sets on Friday night, we enter a period of rest, reflection, and rejuvenation. When Shabbat ends, we transition back into everyday life, but bring the learnings from Shabbat with us. If you remember nothing else, remember this flow: check the time for your city, wait until nightfall, then gather for a short blessing over wine, spices, and light.
At Oneg, we offer a selection of products to make your Shabbat more meaningful. Explore thought-provoking conversation cards that spark interesting discussions at your Shabbat dinner. Plus, our all-in-one Shabbat box makes it easy to get started observing the weekly ritual.
Frequently Asked Questions About When Shabbat Ends
When does Shabbat end?
Shabbat ends on Saturday at nightfall. In order to determine whether Shabbat is over, we typically wait until 3 stars are visible in the sky. On cloudy days, or if the sky simply isn’t visible, there are plenty of Shabbat end time calendars available online.
Why do different Shabbat end time calendars show different times?
There are differing opinions on how Shabbat end times should be calculated. Depending on the method each calendar uses, Shabbat end times can vary. Methods include:
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3 stars: Shabbat ends when 3 stars are visible in the sky.
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40-50 minutes: Shabbat ends 40-50 minutes after sunset.
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72 minutes: Shabbat ends exactly 72 minutes after sunset.
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Angle of the sun: Shabbat ends when the sun has reached a specific angle relative to your location.
Does Daylight Saving Time change when Shabbat ends?
Yes, Daylight Saving Time shifts when Shabbat ends because it changes the time nightfall occurs on the clock. Always check a current Jewish calendar for your location, since the actual end time is based on sunset, not a fixed hour.
When should I say Havdalah?
Havdalah is recited after Shabbat ends, but there’s no rush to do the tradition. It’s intended to be a peaceful transition back into the week, so take your time.
Does traveling change my Shabbat end time?
Yes, your Shabbat end time depends on where you physically are, so it will change while traveling. Sunset happens at different times in different locations. If you travel during Shabbat, use the end time for your current location rather than where you started.
