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<p style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">From today's OU Kosher Halacha Yomis</p>
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<p><strong><strong>Q. I know it is customary to wait to <em>daven Maariv</em> until after nightfall on the first evening of
<em>Shavuos</em>. Is it permissible to make early <em>Yom Tov</em> on the second day of
<em>Shavuos</em>?</strong></strong></p>
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<p>A. The Taz (beginning of OC:494) writes that one should not <em>daven Maariv</em> on the first night of
<em>Shavuos</em> before nightfall. The counting of the 49 days of <em>Sefira</em> concludes with
<em>Shavuos</em>. If we <em>daven Maariv</em> before nightfall, we declare it to be
<em>Shavuos</em>, and the last day of <em>Sefira</em> will have ended prematurely.<br>
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What about the second day of <em>Shavuos</em>? The reasoning of the Taz would seemingly not apply since the
<em>Sefira</em> was concluded a day earlier. However, some <em>poskim</em> point out that it is inappropriate to start
<em>Yom Tov</em> early on the second day of <em>Shavuos</em> as well, based on an additional comment of the Taz. The Taz (OC 489:10) writes that one should count
<em>Sefira</em> on the eighth day of <em>Pesach</em> before <em>Kiddush</em>. By delaying the recitation of
<em>Kiddush</em>, we preserve the <em>Kedusha</em> (sanctity) of the seventh day of
<em>Pesach</em>, which is a Biblical <em>Yom Tov</em>, for a few extra moments, before initiating the
<em>Kedusha</em> of the eighth day of <em>Pesach</em>, which is of Rabbinic nature. The same argument can be applied to
<em>Shavuos</em>: It is inappropriate to <em>daven Maariv</em> on the second day of
<em>Shavuos</em> before nightfall and diminish the sanctity of the first day of <em>
Shavuos</em>, which is a Biblical <em>Yom Tov</em>.<br>
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<div>The Minchas Yitzchak (10:41), based on the Kaf Hachaim, adds an additional concern. If we begin
<em>Yom To</em>v early on the second day, it may lead to confusion, and people might start
<em>Yom Tov</em> early on the first day as well.<br>
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The Minchas Yitzchak concludes that regarding both concerns, there are dissenting views, and if there is a strong need, such as for those who are ill, there is room to be lenient.<br>
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It should be noted that even if one starts the second day <em>Yom Tov</em> early, it is forbidden to begin preparations (such as lighting candles and warming food) for the second day until after nightfall.</div>
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