Overview
Plag HaMincha (פלג המנחה), meaning "half of Mincha," is a significant time point occurring 1.25 sha'os zmaniyos (proportional hours) before sunset. It represents the midpoint of the Mincha Ketana period and marks the boundary between afternoon and evening according to one Talmudic opinion.
Talmudic Source
The Gemara Berachos 26a records a dispute:
"Until when may one daven Mincha? The Sages say: until evening. Rabbi Yehuda says: until Plag HaMincha."
Rabbi Yehuda holds that:
- Mincha may only be recited until Plag HaMincha
- From Plag HaMincha onward, one may daven Maariv
The Sages (Chachamim) hold that:
- Mincha may be recited until sunset (or even nightfall)
- Maariv may only be recited after nightfall
Calculation
Plag HaMincha is calculated as:
10.75 sha'os zmaniyos from the beginning of the day (sunrise)
Or equivalently:
1.25 sha'os zmaniyos before sunset
Since Mincha Ketana begins at 9.5 hours and ends at 12 hours (sunset), the "half" point of this 2.5-hour period is at 10.75 hours.
The Halachic Conclusion
The Gemara concludes somewhat unusually:
"Since the halacha was not explicitly decided, one may act like either opinion."
This means:
- One may follow Rabbi Yehuda and daven Maariv after Plag
- One may follow the Sages and daven Mincha until sunset
The "Tartei D'Sasrei" Problem
While one may follow either opinion, the Gemara and Poskim warn against "tartei d'sasrei" (contradictory actions):
One should not:
- Daven Mincha after Plag (following the Sages)
- AND daven Maariv before sunset (following Rabbi Yehuda)
...on the same day. This would be internally contradictory.
Shulchan Aruch (OC 233:1) rules that if one davened Mincha after Plag, they should not daven Maariv until after sunset/tzeis.
Early Shabbos
Plag HaMincha is especially significant for Kabbalas Shabbos:
- One may accept Shabbos and daven Maariv anytime after Plag
- This is the basis for "Early Shabbos" in the summer
- One must still repeat Shema after nightfall
The Mishnah Berurah notes that if one accepts Shabbos at Plag, they should not have davened Mincha after Plag on that day.
Sephardic vs. Ashkenazic Practice
- Shulchan Aruch (233:1): The custom follows the Sages (Mincha until sunset)
- Rama (233:1): The custom follows Rabbi Yehuda
Piskei Teshuvos (233:4) notes that nowadays, even Ashkenazic communities generally follow the Sages regarding Mincha timing, while still utilizing Plag for early Maariv when needed.
Practical Applications
- Earliest time for Maariv (according to Rabbi Yehuda)
- Earliest time to accept Shabbos/Yom Tov
- Deadline for Mincha according to Rabbi Yehuda
- Lighting Shabbos candles — some permit from Plag
- Sefirat HaOmer — some permit counting from Plag (though most wait until tzeis)
Important Note
When davening Maariv early (between Plag and tzeis), one must repeat Shema after nightfall to fulfill the Torah obligation of reciting Shema "when you lie down."