Time for Reading Shema

Reciting the Shema
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Question

When do the first 3 hours end?

Answer

Hello 

There is a disagreement among the poskim on how to calculate the hours of the day regarding the time for reading Shema, which is three hours, and the time for prayer, which is four hours. According to the Magen Avraham, the hours are divided from dawn until the stars appear into 12, and each part is called an 'hour'. 

According to the Gaon of Vilna, the hours are calculated from sunrise to sunset, and this time is divided into 12, with each part called an hour. This is also the opinion of the Gaon of Zalzburg. 

As can be understood, the length of the halachic 'hour' changes significantly according to the length of the day, with each hour lengthening significantly in the summer and shortening in the winter. 

The time for reading Shema is at the end of 3 'hours' of these hours. 

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