When does Shabbat end?
Shabbat ends on Saturday night once it's truly dark: when three stars can be seen in the sky. In most places that's somewhere around 40 to 50 minutes after sunset, and it changes every week.
Nightfall, not sunset
A Jewish day runs from evening to evening, so Shabbat goes from Friday evening to Saturday evening. The catch is that the moment between day and night isn't sharp: after sunset there's a stretch of twilight that's neither clearly day nor clearly night. So Shabbat is kept from before sunset on Friday until full darkness on Saturday, covering every opinion. That's why Shabbat lasts about 25 hours instead of 24.
Three stars
The traditional sign that night has arrived is seeing three medium-sized stars. Since nobody wants to depend on the weather or city lights, calendars calculate the moment instead. The standard "three stars" time on Shabbat Times is when the sun is 8.5 degrees below the horizon, a widely used calculation. Depending on where you live and the time of year, that's usually about 40 to 50 minutes after sunset.
Other customs
Some communities use a fixed number of minutes after sunset instead:
- 42 or 50 minutes after sunset, common in many communities
- 72 minutes after sunset, following the opinion of Rabbeinu Tam, kept by many who are especially careful
You can pick any of these in Shabbat Times settings, and every time in the app, including reminders, will follow it.
What happens when Shabbat ends
Shabbat is formally ended with Havdalah, the short ceremony with wine, spices and a braided candle. Until you make Havdalah, or at least say "Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol" ("Blessed is He who separates between holy and ordinary"), you shouldn't do things that aren't allowed on Shabbat.
See tonight's exact time for your city on the Shabbat Times home page, or turn on a reminder to get a "Shavua Tov" notification the moment Shabbat ends.
Common questions
When does Shabbat end?
At nightfall on Saturday, when three stars can be seen. In most places that's about 40 to 50 minutes after sunset.
Why is Shabbat 25 hours long?
Because it starts before sunset on Friday and ends after full darkness on Saturday, to cover the uncertain twilight period at both ends and to add extra time to Shabbat.
What is the 72 minute Shabbat end time?
It follows the opinion of Rabbeinu Tam, who held that night begins 72 minutes after sunset. Many people who are especially careful wait until then.
Can I use my phone as soon as the time passes?
The custom is to first make Havdalah, or at least say 'Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol,' before doing things not allowed on Shabbat.
Sources
- Why is Shabbat 25 hours long instead of 24? (Chabad.org)
- The Jewish Day (Chabad.org)
- Havdalah Blessings and Instructions (Chabad.org)