If I am driving in the car on Friday afternoon and there is a big back-up and I will not reach my destination by sunset, is it permitted to continue driving for a little while after sunset, following R. Tam’s and the Shulchan Aruch’s position that Shabbat begins after sunset?
Answer:
No, it is not permitted to rely on the opinion of Rabbeinu Tam, and from the time of sunset (the sinking of the sun beneath the horizon) one must be stringent to consider the time as Shabbos.
Many authorities follow the opinion of the Ge’onim, at least le-chumra, and in this case, where the question involve a Torah violation of Shabbos, even those who generally follow the opinion of Rabbeinu Tam will be stringent.
