Israel Switches to Winter Time This Weekend
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Israel will switch to winter time on Saturday night, October 26th, by moving clocks back one hour at 2:00 AM. This annual change, mandated by law, aligns human activity with daylight hours and affects Jewish prayer times. Winter time will last until March 2027, with most smart devices updating automatically, though some older phones require manual adjustment.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel switches to winter time Saturday night, October 26th, moving clocks back one hour.
- The change aligns with the 2013 Time Determination Law, occurring annually on the last Sunday of October.
- Winter time will be in effect until the last Friday of March 2027.
- The shift impacts Jewish prayer times, making morning prayers earlier and sunset earlier.
- Most smart devices update automatically, but some older phones require manual adjustment.
Israel will transition to winter time this Saturday night, October 26th, at 2:00 AM. Clocks will be set back one hour to 1:00 AM, granting an extra hour of sleep or study. This change is mandated by the 2013 Time Determination Law, which stipulates the shift occurs on the last Sunday of October annually. Winter time will remain in effect until the last Friday of March 2027, when clocks will advance for daylight saving time.
While most smartphones and smart devices automatically adjust, users of "kosher" cell phones may need to manually update their settings. It is advised to check devices before sleeping to avoid being late for morning prayers and to remember to adjust mechanical clocks and alarm clocks.
Dr. Oleg Popov, responsible for time and frequency measurements at the Ministry of Economy and Industry, explained that Israel's winter time is officially designated as UTC(INPL), aligning with the international UTC standard. Israel Standard Time is UTC+2 during winter and UTC+3 during summer.
The shift to winter time significantly impacts halachic (Jewish law) daily timings. The latest times for reciting the Shema and morning prayers will be an hour earlier, requiring those attending later prayer services to adjust. Conversely, sunrise will be earlier, benefiting those who pray at the earliest possible time. Daylight hours will shorten, causing sunset to occur noticeably earlier, thus advancing afternoon and evening prayer times.
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