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Accepting Yom Tov Early

Can a person start Rosh hashana early after plag hamincha on the first night, and pray maariv later? What about the second night?

Answer:

It is possible to start Rosh Hashanah early (after plag), and to daven later. Like on Shabbos, this will be problematic according to the Vilna Gaon, who writes (in Maaseh Rav) that Kiddush must be made before davening. However, other authorities do not mention this concern.

For Yom Tov sheini (the second day of Yom Tov), many write that this is possible, but some write that one should not accept Yom Tov sheini early, and it should only be done in cases of need.

Sources:

Accepting the second day of Yom Tov early is the subject of a dispute among authorities, as mentioned in siman 489 (the Taz is stringent, and the Kesav Sofer and Chok Yaakov are lenient). The issue is whether accepting the second day early is a pegam (flaw) in the holiness of the first day.

The Minchas Yitzchak (1:42) thus writes that for somebody who is sick one can be lenient. See also Rivevos Efraim (8:459) who is lenient, but does not present any sources.

Some, however, argue that those who dispute the ruling of the Taz only do so after it is dark, and not before it is dark (see Maros Yesharim 7). Therefore, although there is room for leniency, one should preferably avoid doing this.

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