Can I read perek shira, or aneni at night?
Answer:
With regard to the study of verse at night (especially before midnight), some permit the practice, whereas others, in particular those authorities who heed kabbalistic sources, are more stringent.
However, Perek Shira might be permitted according to all opinions, because even though it is based on verses, it is a part of the Oral Tradition.
If by Aneni you mean general prayers, there is no problem of reciting prayers at night.
Sources:
Kabbalists write that the night, and in particular the time of night between nightfall and chatzos, is not a suitable time for study of the Written Torah (verses of Scripture), which includes the recitation of Tehillim. See Chaim Sha’al 2:25; Kaf Hachaim 228, and many other sources, all based on Arizal.
It is unclear whether or not Arizal intended this prohibition to apply through to nightfall, or only until chatzos, but the common custom is to recite Tehillim after chatzos (seeYabia Omer, vol. 6, no. 30:6), though the study of verses other than Tehillim is reserved for the actual time of day.
Although Mishnah Berurah (Shaar Hatzion 238:1) cites a dispute over the study of Scripture at night, he writes that there is certainly no prohibition in doing so, but only that it is better to study other parts of the Torah (the Oral Law) at night. This implies that wherever there is any need, it would be proper to recite Tehillim at night, and even to study Scripture.
Concerning Perek Shirah, Osri Lagefen writes that it should only be recited after midnight, but Gam Ani Odecha cites an answer of Rav Chaim Kanievsky who writes that it stands to reason that its recitation is permitted even before midnight.
If I’m reading Perek Shira for 40 days, 80 days, etc., for the purpose of praying for a salvation, is it okay if one day I started reading it a min before shkiah, and finished it by 8 min past shkiah (before nightfall)?
It is fine.
Shalom Respected Rabbi, I am Geirut converting to Judaism, BARUCH HASHEM. I have 2 questions please, what’s the correct time to pray Perek Shira as I want to pray the Perek Shira for 40 days for my prayer requests parnasa , job, Aliyah, complete Geirut and shiddukim. My second question is regarding a Cohen, I know that a Cohen can’t marry a divorced or a convert, my mother is also converting with me so after my conversion I will be Jewish, unfortunately I don’t really know about my family history I am sure I have Jewish bloodlines as I have always loved Israel and the G-OD of Israel ever since I can remember I may even have Cohen as my ancestors I don’t know, my question is am I allowed to marry a Cohen if my ancestors were Cohen? Is there any way I can find out? I will share my Journey to the HOLY TORAH with you Rabbi so perhaps my question will be more clear. Todah for your time. HASHEM bless you
You can say Perek Shira anytime of the day. the best time is when you can say it slowly and concentrate on what you are saying. You are now praising Hashem, and bringing the whole world together with you. Regarding marrying a kohen, the blood line that you have yt oa kohen wold only be from a paterenal forefather, what determines a person’s Jewishness is the maternal one. If you have doubt as to your lineiage, this is something you would want to investigate. Find out where you maternal family lived, check for family records, the town or cities records, the local cemetaries, etc. after you have verified if you are Jewish or not, then if you are Jewish then the kohen status will help. However a kohen that marries a gentile, the child will still be gentile, not a kohen.
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