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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>There is a potential confusion within the
discussion about Tzeit HaKokhavim, end of fasts, Shabbat, etc.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In the case of Tekiat Shofar on Motzai YK:
technically one is allowed to blow during Bein HaShmashot (i.e., before Tzeit),
since it is not a melachah, but a "chochmah", therefore it is permitted as a
"shvut ba-makom mitzvah" -- see Mishnah Brura 623:12.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In practice however, the Luach (both Rav
Tukachinsky and the Heichal Shlomo) says to wait 20 minutes after Shkiah
for Tekiat Shofar (and 32 minutes after shkiah for havdala/melacha). In Israel
this creates a problem of wanting to get to Birkhat Kohanim for Neilah
before Shkiah, then having to shlep out everything else (Avinu Malkeinu, etc.)
to fill the time. If anyone has a creative solution to this problem -- aside
from paskening like the Mishnah Brura over the Luach -- I'd be delighted to hear
it. </FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>