Yitzchak Avinu established Mincha, the afternoon prayer.[1] The Mincha prayer is especially important, and although brief and therefore seemingly insignificant, it must not be taken lightly. It was at Mincha time that the prayers of Eliyahu Hanavi were answered.[2] In fact, we are taught that the name of this prayer, “Mincha”, is intended to serve as a permanent reminder that Eliyahu was answered at Mincha time. This is because the word Mincha literally means “offering” referring to the sacrifice that Eliyahu offered to God when praying for victory over the prophets of Ba’al.[3] So too, Moshe Rabbeinu prayed to God to forgive the Jewish people for the sin of the Golden Calf at mincha time.[4] We are told that the reward for reciting Mincha is greater than that of the other daily prayers due to the extra effort that must be made to find the time to recite it in the middle of one’s busy day.[5]

The earliest one may recite Mincha is from six and a half halachic hours into the day. One should be sure to recite it before sunset.[6] One who accidentally recited Mincha after the sixth hour, but before six and a half hours, has discharged his obligation.[7] According to a number of authorities, Mincha should ideally be recited in the latter part of the afternoon, from nine and a half halachic hours[8] into the day onward. This is because the mincha sacrifice was generally offered in the Beit Hamikdash during this time.[9] Nevertheless, those who prefer to recite Mincha in the earlier part of the afternoon, from six and a half halachic hours into the day onward, are certainly entitled to do so.[10] Some authorities recommend that one recite Mincha during the last hour and a quarter before sunset, a time period known as "Plag Hamincha". In fact, some are of the opinion that Mincha is best recited as close to sunset as possible.[11] Most authorities, however, are not too particular about when Mincha is to be recited, and rule that any part of the afternoon is just as good as any other.[12]

As mentioned, Mincha should completed before sunset. In fact, some authorities rule that one who estimates that one will not be able to complete the shemoneh esrei before sunset should not even begin to recite it.[13] Common custom, however, is not in accordance with this view, and it suffices for one to have started the shemoneh esrei before sunset.[14] So too, a congregation may recite the chazarat hashatz, even if they are forced to begin it after sunset.[15]

In an emergency, one may recite Mincha up until “nightfall.” There are a number of interpretations as to exactly when nightfall is, with opinions ranging from eighteen to seventy-two minutes after sunset, depending on a number of different variables and where in the world one is located.[16] Most authorities rule that it is better to recite Mincha before sunset without a minyan than after sunset with a minyan.[17] A number of authorities rule that one who finishes the Shemoneh Esrei of Mincha after sunset should not recite Tachanun, as Tachanun should not be recited at night.^[18] Other authorities are not too particular about this and allow one to recite Tachanun unless it is certainly past nightfall.^[19] There exists a peculiar custom in some communities to permanently omit Tachanun at Mincha, though the rationale for doing so is questionable.^[20]

One should wash one's hands before reciting Mincha.[21] It is also recommended that one give some coins to charity before Mincha.[22] One should ensure that one's clothes remain clean while at work in order to have a presentable appearance when standing before God at Mincha.[23] It is considered especially appropriate to meditate upon the importance of loving every Jew before reciting Mincha.[24] Some people wear tefillin when reciting Mincha, and some even have a special set of Tefillin especially for Mincha, such as Rabbeinu Tam or Shimusha Rabba tefillin.[25] One is permitted to wear Tefillin at Mincha in a congregation where it is not common to do so.[26]

Mincha formally starts with "Ashrei", which should not begin until a minyan is present.[27] Some suggest that one should recite ashrei specifically while seated.[28] Many people recite korbanot before Mincha, as well.[29] Sefardim customarily recite a number of other Tehillim and readings before Shemoneh Esrei.[30] The reward for being among the first ten people to arrive for prayer applies to Mincha, as well.[31] It is deemed to be an especially powerful token of one's love for God to recite Mincha with a minyan.[32]

There is a custom, found primarily in German and Italian congregations, not to recite “aleinu” at the conclusion of Mincha, especially when Ma’ariv immediately follows Mincha.[33] The more widespread custom, of course, is not like this view.[34] Nevertheless, aleinu is not recited at Mincha on Yom Kippur in Ashkenazi congregations since the Neila service immediately follows Mincha. So too, most congregations do not recite aleinu after Mussaf on Yom Kippur. This is likely because in previous generations, there was no break between Mussaf and Mincha on Yom Kippur.

One who arrives as the congregation is reciting Maariv, but has yet to recite Mincha, should recite his Mincha shemoneh esrei as the congregation recites the Maariv one.[35] If one must recite Mincha extremely close to sunset, one should immediately begin the shemoneh esrei and recite Ashrei afterward.[36] One who arrives late to the synagogue on Friday afternoon should not recite Mincha in the sanctuary if the congregation has already accepted Shabbat. Rather, one should recite Mincha in a side room, or the like.[37]

[1] Brachot 26b.

[2] Kings I Chapter 18; Berachot 6b.

[3] Tosfot, Pesachim 107a.

[4] Ba’al Haturim, Ki Tissa.

[5] Brachot 6b; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 69:1; Aruch Hashulchan, OC 232:2.

[6] OC 233:1; Kaf Hachaim, OC 233:2,3.

[7] Aruch Hashulchan, OC 233:13; Mishna Berura 233:2; Shraga Hameir 7:1; Tzitz Eliezer 10:20.

[8] A halachic hour refers to the time between sunrise and sunset, divided by 12. Thus, if sunrise is at 6 a.m. and sunset at 6 p.m., a halachic hour is 60 minutes. If sunrise is at 5:00 a.m., with sunset at 8 p.m., each halachic 'hour' is longer -- 75 minutes. Some authorities rule that this calculation should be made using the time between dawn and nightfall.

[9] Rambam, Hilchot Tefilla 3:2; OC 233:1; Mishna Berura 233:1.

[10] OC 233:1. See also Aruch Hashulchan, OC 233:12.

[11] Shaarei Teshuva. 235:3; Kaf Hachaim, OC 232:7; Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 233:1.

[12] Mishnah Berura 233:14; Aruch Hashulchan, OC 233:9.

[13] Mishna Berura 89:5; Kaf Hachaim, OC 233:5.

[14] Eishel Avraham 232; Eretz Tzvi 1:121; Aruch Hashulchan, OC 110:5; Yabia Omer 7:34.

[15] See Aruch Hashulchan, OC 232:6

[16] Rema, OC 233:2; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 69:2.

[17] Mishna Berura 233:14. For more on this see Rivevot Ephraim 6:113.

[18] Magen Avraham 131:9, Kaf Hachaim 131:51

[19] OC 131:3, Mishna Berura 131:17. See also Rivevot Ephraim 6:122, 8:90.

[20] Mishne Halachot 8:28; Yabia Omer 3:11. See also Piskei Teshuvot 131:13.

[21] OC 233:2; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 69:4.

[22] Kaf Hachaim 232:3.

[23] Kaf Hachaim, OC 232:11.

[24] Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 12:2.

[25] Aruch Hashulchan, OC 37:3; Kaf Hachaim, OC 232:5; Kaf Hachaim (Palagi) 19:4,5; Minhagei Eretz Yisrael (Gellis) 18:3. For more on Rabbeinu Tam and Shimusha Rabba tefillin, see my “Amot Shel Halacha”.

[26] Igrot Moshe, OC 4:34.

[27] Rema, OC 234:1; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 69:5; Mishna Berura 234:5.

[28] Rambam, Hilchot Tefilla 9:8; Rivevot Ephraim 8:89.

[29] Rema, OC 234:2; Aruch Hashulchan, OC 234:2.

[30] Kaf Hachaim, OC 232:6.

[31] Tefilla K'hilchata 18:1.

[32] Pele Yoetz s.v. Tefila.

[33] Elya Rabba, OC 132:3.

[34] Magen Avraham 132:1; Rivevot Ephraim 4:44:89.

[35] Mishna Berura 236:11.

[36] Kaf Hachaim, OC 234:6. But see Aruch Hashulchan, OC 234:2; Rivevot Ephraim 2:48:8.

[37] Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 69:9.