Jerusalem Guidebook · Shabbat & Zmanim
Jerusalem Shabbat Times & Zmanim
Candle lighting, havdalah, and the daily halachic clock — Jerusalem edition
Jerusalem keeps a unique custom: Shabbat candles are lit 40 minutes before sunset, not the standard 18 or 22 minutes used elsewhere. This guide explains the weekly Shabbat times, daily zmanim, and the trusted sources to check before every Friday.
Live Shabbat Times & Zmanim
For the exact time this week, use one of these trusted sources — all are set to Jerusalem coordinates and the local 40-minute candle-lighting minhag:
Hebcal — Jerusalem
Weekly candle lighting & havdalah, parsha, downloadable calendar.
MyZmanim — Jerusalem
Full daily zmanim with multiple opinions (GRA, Magen Avraham, Rabbeinu Tam).
Chabad.org Candle Lighting
Enter "Jerusalem" for weekly candle-lighting and havdalah times.
Yeshiva.org.il לוח
Hebrew calendar with Jerusalem zmanim and shiurim schedule.
The Daily Zmanim
| Zman | What It Marks |
|---|---|
| Alot Hashachar | First light of dawn — earliest time for tallit & tefillin. |
| Netz HaChama | Sunrise — earliest time for Shacharit (vatikin). |
| Sof Zman Kriat Shema | Latest time to say the morning Shema. |
| Chatzot | Halachic midday — latest Shacharit. |
| Mincha Gedola / Ketana | Earliest and preferred times for Mincha. |
| Plag HaMincha | Earliest time to accept Shabbat / daven Ma'ariv. |
| Shkia | Sunset — Shabbat begins (candles 40 min earlier in Jerusalem). |
| Tzeit HaKochavim | Nightfall — Shabbat ends; time for havdalah. |
The Jerusalem Minhag
40 minutes before sunset. Jerusalem's universal candle-lighting time is 40 minutes before shkia — earlier than the 18 minutes used in most diaspora communities and the 20–22 minutes used in Tel Aviv and Haifa.
Why? The custom predates modern astronomy and reflects the western hills that hide the sun from Jerusalem earlier than the "official" sunset. It's followed across all Jerusalem communities — Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and Chassidic.
Havdalah. Standard havdalah in Jerusalem is at tzeit hakochavim, roughly 35–45 minutes after sunset. Many communities wait for Rabbeinu Tam (~72 minutes) — especially in the winter and for melacha involving Torah scrolls or communal work.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What time is candle lighting in Jerusalem?
- 40 minutes before sunset — a stricter minhag than the standard 18 or 22 minutes used elsewhere. Check Hebcal or MyZmanim for the exact minute this week.
- When does Shabbat end in Jerusalem?
- At tzeit hakochavim — 35–45 minutes after sunset. Many communities wait for Rabbeinu Tam (~72 min) for a mehadrin havdalah.
- Why does Jerusalem light 40 minutes early?
- The 40-minute custom reflects the western hills that hide the sun from Jerusalem earlier than the official astronomical sunset. It's followed across all Jerusalem communities.
- Where can I get Jerusalem zmanim on my phone?
- The MyZmanim, Hebcal, and Chabad apps all offer free Jerusalem zmanim widgets with multiple halachic opinions. Set your location to "Jerusalem" (not "Tel Aviv") for the correct 40-minute custom.