‘Alot-hashachar’ (‘Amud hashachar’) – This is the faint light that rises in the east or a little afterwards when the faint light spreads a little across the face of the east. According to many, the time difference between ‘amud-hashachar’ and ‘hanetz-hachamah’ in the Land of Israel is approximately the duration of walking four mil, that is, about 72 minutes. The time difference changes according to the seasons of the year.
‘Misheyakir’ – The time when light has already spread a little on the earth, until a person can recognize his fellow whom he is not accustomed to meet from a distance of four cubits, and it is also possible to distinguish between the color blue and white. From this hour it is possible to read the Shema initially, but it is still not possible to pray the morning prayer. It is customary to rule that the time of misheyakir is around 50 minutes before ‘hanetz-hachamah’.
Hanetz hachamah is sunrise, that is, at the time of seeing the first part of the sun, and from then begins the time of prayer initially. One who reads the Shema before hanetz and prays immediately with ‘hanetz-hachamah’, behold this is praying the prayer of vatikin which the sages praised.
Sunset – In the Land of Israel there is a difference of about twenty minutes between the time of sunset and the emergence of the stars, and it shortens a little or lengthens according to the seasons of the year and the height of the place above sea level. This time between sunset and the emergence of the stars is called ‘bein hashemashot’. On all the Sabbaths and festivals, the time of entry of the day is at sunset, and the time of departure of the day is at the emergence of the stars.
Emergence of the stars – That is, from the hour when it is possible to see three stars.
