Today's daf TB Magillah 20 has the last two mishnayot in the second chapter of our massekhet. The first contain a list of different mitzvot starting with the reading of the Megillah that need to be observed during the daytime. “One may not read the Megilla, nor perform a circumcision, nor immerse himself in a ritual bath, nor sprinkle water of purification to purify people and objects that had contracted ritual impurity through contact with a corpse until after sunrise. And also a woman who observes a clean day for each day she experiences a discharge, i.e., a woman who experienced one or two days of non-menstrual bleeding, and must now wait until a day has passed without any discharge of blood before regaining ritual purity, she too may not immerse herself until the sun has risen (Netz hakhamah-נֵץ הַחַמָּה ). And with regard to all these activities that are supposed to be performed during the day, if one did them after daybreak, (amud hashakhar-עַמּוּד הַשַּׁחַר) i.e., after the appearance of the first light of the sun, even before sunrise, they are valid, as at this point it is already considered daytime. ” (Sefaria.org translation)
We came across the terms amud hashakhar and netz hakhamah all the way back on daf TB Berakhot 9b almost 2 years ago. This is a wonderful opportunity to review these halakhic times.
“From the perspective of Jewish law, the first significant hour of the day is known as ‘Amud HaShachar’ (Dawn), or, alternately, "Alote HaShachar." When circumstances do not allow otherwise, it is permissible to recite the Shema and to pray Amidah from this hour. Under normal circumstances, however, this is prohibited. Later authorities express differing opinions as to when exactly "Amud HaShachar" is: Some maintain that it is the time when the first faint light becomes discernible in the eastern sky (Magen Avraham, Pri Megadim), while others hold that it is slightly later, after the light has begun to spread across the eastern sky (Eliya Rabba; Vilna Gaon).
“Following ‘Amud HaShachar’ comes the "Mi-Sheyakir" hour. This is the time when the morning light has begun to make itself felt to the the point where one is able to recognize a rare acquaintance from a distance of four cubits. It is also possible at this time to distinguish between blue and white. At this hour, according to most authorities, it is entirely permissible to recite the Shema. Amidah, however, is still not permissible under ordinary circumstances.
“'Hanetz HaChamah’ means "sunrise." In other words, it is the time when the first part of the sun rises above the horizon. From then onward prayer is permissible. One who recites the Shema just before sunrise and then prays Amida with the sunrise is said to have prayed "Vatikin"; the sages praised this practiced in no uncertain terms.” (https://www.yeshiva.co/midrash/2626)
Although a person may fulfill his obligation at dawn, sunrise is a better time to begin because the rabbis understood that most people are not knowledgeable enough to determine when dawn actually breaks. Everybody can see with his own eyes the first rays of the sun over the horizon. Knowing the earliest time a person may read the Megillah this year is very important if you live in Jerusalem. Shushan Purim, the 15th of Adar Sheni, is Friday, March 19. Erev Shabbat is always a very busy day with shopping, cleaning, and cooking that must be done before candle lighting time. Obviously a longer morning service because of the Megillah reading adds more pressure to get everything done before Shabbat because we also have to fulfill the mitzvot of mishloakh manot and have a Purim Seudah. I would imagine some people would like to get a jump on the day.
We are lucky that we have smart phones at our fingertips and can find out exactly when amud hashakhar and netz hakhamah are, in case you're interested I looked it up for you. In Jerusalem amud hashakhar is at 4:35 AM, netz hakhamah is it 5:44 AM. Candle lighting time is it 5:08 PM. We who live in the diaspora and celebrate Purim on the 14 of Adar are lucky because we get to sleep in. Where I live amud hashakhar is at 5:41 AM and netz hakhamah is at 7:01 AM!
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