Question:
Good Voch,
My wife and I are interested in potentially accepting upon ourselves to keep 72 minutes for Motzei Shabbos. However, we have non-frum relatives whom we sometimes visit for Shabbos or Yom Tov (with proper accommodations so that everything is B’H kosher). This would create complications when visiting relatives: If we were to keep 72 minutes everywhere, it would create tension — for example, on second night Yom Tov, or on Leil Pesach/Sukkos, when we would not be able to make Kiddush until after 72 minutes. Additionally, in their town, the Orthodox shul is a 20-minute walk. They daven Maariv around 42 minutes after shkiah, which is based on valid poskim. That creates a practical problem — there would be about a 15-minute gap where, if I wanted to keep 72 minutes, I would be “stuck” because everyone has finished davening and left, but it’s still before 72 minutes, and I’d be far from home.
Our thought: We were wondering if it would be possible to accept keeping 72 minutes only in certain situations — i.e., when we are home or with frum relatives — and to do so on the condition (tenai) that this is only for tosefes Shabbos, not as a permanent kabbalah.
Our questions are:
• Would we have what to rely on to keep 72 minutes only in those situations?
• Would doing so obligate us in any neder (commitment), or could we treat it as a personal hanhaga when possible, without being locked into it?
• If R’L there is another Tisha Baav Motzei Shabbos would our restrictions start at an earlier Zman or at 72 min.
Thank you very much.
Ksiva V’Kasima Toiva
Answer:
Hello,
You should accept to bli neder keep Rabbeinu Tam whenever you can. It should specifically be bli neder, and that in any situation that it is hard for you, that you don't have to do it. This will not diminish the sechar that you will get for keeping Shabbos for longer, and it will only remove any complications that may arise in difficult situations. If you want you can also do it specifically for tosefes Shabbos.
When Tisha B'av is Motzei Shabbos, we don't eat or drink from shkiya, and the only real difference would be when you should put on sneakers.
Best wishes
