Q. Hey, we now begin the Sabbath while still light out on Fridays?

A. Good point. Now we begin services at 7pm, and the Sabbath begins at sundown which is later this time of year. While we can not end the Sabbath earlier, or start it later – we are allowed to add some time to the Sabbath. We can begin an hour or two earlier, which enables us to have dinner at a reasonable hour.

At UAlbany, for many years now, we have two set start times for prayers and meals that change as the clock does. In early Fall and late Spring we pray at 6pm with dinner a 7pm, and in late Fall and early Spring, it’s prayers at 7pm and Dinner at 8pm. But remember, if Shabbat starts at 4:30 on winter Friday and we pray at 7pm, it’s still Shabbat at 4:30pm that week.