Not Making Kiddush in the Seventh Hour
Q. Recently I was invited to a family for Shabbos and was told that their custom is to wait until 7pm to make Kiddush. I have never heard of this custom before. What is its basis?
Many families, particularly Chabad Chassidim, will not make Kiddush during the seventh hour after midday, which is approximated as being the hour from 6:00-7:00pm. This practise is based on the ruling of the Magen Avraham which is adopted by the Shulchan Aruch Harav.
The Magen Avraham[1] quotes the Tikunei Shabbos[2] that on Friday night “one should make Kiddush before nightfall, because the beginning of the eve of Shabbos is subject to the influence of Mazal Maadim and the end of Friday is under the influence of Mazal Tzedek. Therefore, one should say Kiddush during the Mazal of Tzedek”[3].
In its full text, the Tikunei Shabbos reads:
“It is a Mitzvah to say Kiddush early… before the influence of Samae’l and the star Maadim at the beginning of the eve of Shabbos… and these two angels that accompany a person home on Shabbos are Tzadkie’l and Samae’l. Tzadkie’l serves during the last hour of Erev Shabbos and Samae’l during the first hour of Shabbos and he rules over the star of Maadim. Tzadkie’l is the good angel and Samae’l is the bad angel.”
Understanding the Mazalos
The teaching of the Tikunei Shabbos is based on the concept of Mazalos and their influence in the world.
Our sages identify seven heavenly bodies that exert influence on the world; the sun, the moon and the five planets which are visible from earth to the naked eye. These are referred to as the Seven Mazalos or the seven Kochvei Leches – literally moving stars.
The influence of these Mazalos follows a cyclical pattern, with each Mazal being dominant for one hour in turn. The order of the Mazalos is;
They are represented by the acronym שצ"ם חנכ"ל created by the first letter of the name of each of the Mazalos in their order.
The pattern of the influence of the Mazalos started from the moment the heavenly bodies were created, at the beginning of the fourth day of Creation. Since in Torah the day begins on the previous evening, this refers to the first hour of Tuesday night. The same pattern has continued to repeat itself each week ever since[4].
Based on this cycle, the last hour of Friday is under the influence of Tzedek (Jupiter) and the first hour of Shabbos will be Maadim (Mars), as described by the Tikunei Shabbos.
The Mazal of Maadim is considered to have a negative influence. Maadim is appointed over war, pestilence[5] and destruction[6]. The Gemara[7] teaches that someone who is born in the hour under the influence of the Mazal Maadim will be a man who spills blood.
Corresponding Angels
The Tikunei Shabbos writes that the Mazal Maadim is the rule of Samae’l, who is identified as the Satan and the angel of destruction. Mazal Tzedek is the rule of the angel Tzadkie’l, an angel of righteousness and kindness.
He identifies these as the two angels that accompany us home from Shul on Friday night, one good and one bad, as described in the Talmud[8].
Since the first hour of the eve of Shabbos is under the influence of Mazal Maadim and the angel Samae’l, one should not make Kiddush during this time.
Halacha
Many Poskim do not adopt the ruling of the Tikunei Shabbos. The Mishna Berura does not bring this ruling at all. The Aruch Hashulchan[9] writes that this ruling is puzzling because “Chas VeShalom to say that we are under the influence of the Mazalos”.
The Aruch Hashulchan notes that the earlier sources teach that it was the non-Jews who would mourn on Shabbos because of the negative Mazalos. Hashem commanded us to light candles and to celebrate at this time, to show that we are beyond the influence of the Mazalos. He concludes with the verse “one who trusts in Hashem will be encompassed by Chessed - kindness”[10].
This protection is especially so on Shabbos when, “all rulers of anger and judgements flee and are removed”[11].
However, many Poskim, including the Alter Rebbe, do bring the teaching of the Tikunei Shabbos and the ruling of the Magen Avraham, as Halacha. The Alter Rebbe[12] writes “there are those who are careful not to make Kiddush during the first hour of the night, which is the seventh hour after midday”.
Calculation of the Seventh Hour
There is a minority view that the hours of the Mazalos are calculated based on “Shaos Zmanios” – Halachic hours – which change in duration according to the length of the day and night, which changes over the seasons. According to this view, the hour of Mazal Maadim will always begin at the same time that Shabbos comes in, extending for the first halachic hour after sunset[13].
However, most Poskim write that the hours of the Mazalos are based on “Shaos Shavos”, with each hour of the day always being 60 minutes[14]. The Lubavitcher Rebbe writes this emphatically[15], explaining that it is because the cycle of the Mazalos does not change from winter to summer. Each Mazal is dominant for 60 minutes at a time.
Since the commencement of Shabbos is determined by sunset, according to this view, the hour of Mazal Maadim may or may not correspond to the first hour of Shabbos – depending on the season and time of year. This is why the Alter Rebbe identifies the hour of Mazal Maadim as the seventh hour after midday, rather than the first hour of Shabbos.
For example, in winter sunset and the commencement of Shabbos may be at 4:30pm, yet for the purpose of the calculation of the Mazalos, Mazal Madim will be at 6:00pm.
Interestingly, because of the discrepancy, Machatzis Hashekel explains that the Tikunei Zohar only applies at the time of year where day and night are of equal length. Only then will the first hour of Shabbos also be the seventh hour from midday when Mazal Maadim is dominant.
Which Midday?
The Alter Rebbe and Poskim write that Mazal Maadim is during the seventh hour after midday. How is this defined?
True midday is the halfway point between sunrise and sunset. It is the time when the sun is directly overhead (solar noon). Depending on the season and time of year, the time that this occurs will change from week-to-week.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe writes[16] that seemingly, the calculation should begin six 60-minute hours after true midday. Nonetheless, in practise we calculate the 6 hours from the average midday and do not check each week and adjust the time based on when the technical midday is.
The Rebbe writes that even though this will not be technically accurate and it relates to a matter of potential Sakanah (danger), we apply the principle “Shomer Psaim Hashem”, that Hashem protects the feeble[17].
Different Time-zones
The average Chatzos as per above should be 12:00pm and the seventh hour should be from 6:00-7:00pm. This is the time which is usually referenced for not making Kiddush. However, there is another factor that needs to be considered and that is the longitudinal position of the place that one lives in any given time-zone.
True time is based on the position of the sun. This is known as solar time. For reasons of convenience, the world operates using agreed time-zones, where the cities within a broad geographic region will use the same standard time.
Because different cities within a given time-zone will be further to the east or west from one another, the arbitrary standard time applied there will likely not match up precisely with the solar time, which is based on the position of the sun.
As a result, depending on one’s location, what their clock shows as 12:00 noon, will not necessarily be the average true solar noon. Likewise, the clock-time of 6:00-7:00pm may not be the true time of the seventh hour based on solar time.
Many Poskim write that this must be taken into consideration when calculating the hour of Mazal Maadim. Accordingly, the time of Mazal Maadim needs to be adjusted to the exact longitudinal location and will not necessarily be exactly from 6:00-7:00pm. This is why in Melbourne, for example, many calculate the hour of Mazal Maadim from 6:20-7:20pm.
This is the also the reason why whilst both on Eastern Standard Time, Melbourne and Sydney will observe Mazal Maadim at different times, as Melbourne is positioned further west than Sydney.
Some Rabbonim[18] write that we do not take this into consideration and that the time of Mazal Maadim is observed from 6:00-7:00pm in every place, based on the standard clock time.
Daylight Saving Time
During the Summer, many cities change their clocks to daylight saving time. This too is purely arbitrary, with the clock simply being set one hour later. In daylight saving time, what is technically 6:00pm is now being called 7:00pm.
For the purposes of measuring the hour of Mazal Maadim based on clock-time, the time needs to be shifted one hour later. For example, in Melbourne during daylight saving time, Mazal Maadim will be from 7:20-8:20pm, which is 6:20-7:20pm in standard time.
Eretz Yisroel
Some Poskim and Gedolim write that the Minhag of not making Kiddush during the seventh hour does not apply in Eretz Yisroel. This is because Eretz Yisroel is under the direct supervision of Hashem and is unaffected by the influence of the Mazalos.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe dismisses this explanation because none of the original sources mention Eretz Yisroel as an exception. Further, we see in the Gemara that Tannaim who lived in Eretz Yisroel were worried about Mazalos[19].
In one letter[20], the Rebbe suggests that the reason that some do not observe this Minhag in Eretz Yisroel may be because in Eretz Yisroel they never accepted the Minhag, relying on the principle that those who are fulfilling a Mitzvah will not suffer harm.
However, it seems from these letters that the Rebbe’s position was that the Minhag should be observed in Eretz Yisroel.
White Wine and Kiddush on Challah
There is a view that the concern of making Kiddush during Mazal Maadim only applies when making Kiddush on red wine, since Maadim is associated with the colour red. If so, it would be permissible to make Kiddush on white wine during this time.
This position is negated by most Poskim and does not seem to have any Halachic basis. The concern of the Tikunei Shabbos is the making of Kiddush itself, no matter what Kiddush is recited over. It would apply even when making Kiddush over Challah where no wine is available.
Guests
In a different letter, the Rebbe addressed the suggestion that one can make Kiddush during this hour on behalf of guests who do not want to wait. The rationale is that the fulfilment of the Biblical Mitzvah of Hachnasas Orchim (hosting guests) will protect them from any harm.
The Rebbe responded that whilst this may be true for the host, the guests are not fulfilling any Mitvzah and would not have the protection. If so, the host would not have the merit of the Mitzvah of Hachnasas Orchim either, because instead of taking care of his guests by making Kiddush at this time, he is putting them in danger[21].
In specific situations where it would be very difficult to expect one’s guests to wait, especially in a communal or outreach setting, one should speak to a Rav for practical guidance.
Young Children and Shalom Bayis
If being strict to not make Kiddush during Mazal Maadim will affect Shalom Bayis (domestic harmony) or if one has young children who are not able to stay awake to wait the extra hour, one should try to make Kiddush before the hour of Mazal Maadim begins.
If the time that Davening finishes does not allow for one to make Kiddush before Mazal Maadim, one should speak to their Rav for personal, practical guidance.
Yomtov
Since the basis for not making Kiddush at this time is because Mazal Maadim is dominant during the first hour of Shabbos, it only applies to the first hour on Shabbos and not to any other day of the week, when a different Mazal will be dominant. Therefore, when Yomtov falls on a weekday, one may make Kiddush during the seventh hour from midday.
But what about making Kiddush on weekday Yomim Tovim during the hour that Mazal Maadim is dominant? For example, may one make the Yomtov Kiddush during the 3rd hour of the night on Tuesday night, when Mazal Maadim will also be dominant?
This scenario is not discussed in the original sources of this Halacha. It would appear that the concern of the Tikunei Shabos for the negative influence, is only when Mazal Maadim occurs in the first hour of the day i.e. the seventh hour after midday, which only occurs on Friday night.
Coming home from Shul
After bringing the ruling of the Magen Avraham, the Alter Rebbe concludes “we have already explained that Lechatchila one should make Kiddush immediately on coming home from Shul while it is still day”. This is because it is a Mitzvah is to make Kiddush as close as possible to the onset of Shabbos.
Some infer from the conclusion of this Halacha, that the Alter Rebbe is saying that if one comes home from Shul at the beginning of the seventh hour, they should make Kiddush immediately and that this overrides the concern of Mazal Maadim.
Whilst this approach is generally not followed, it may be basis for leniency in the scenarios of hosting guests, Shalom Bayis or young children discussed above[22].
Some people who are careful to not make Kiddush during Mazal Maadim, will make sure to not come home during the hour of Mazal Maadim. This way they avoid any question of having to make Kiddush immediately on arriving home.
___________________________________
[1] Orach Chaim 271:1
[2] A Kabbalistic Sefer on the order of Tikunei Shabbos
[3] Subsequently, the Magen Avraham quotes the Talmud Yeurshalmi that the practise is to eat the Shabbos meal one or two hours into the night. Aruch Hashulchan understands that this is being brought in support of the custom to not make Kiddush during the first hour.
[4] See Shabbos 123 and Rashi
[5] Rashi Shabbos 129b,
[6] Machatzis Hashekel 271:1
[7] Shabbos 156a
[8] Shabbos 119b. See the article on preparing our homes for Shabbos for further discussion on these two angels.
[9] Orach Chaim 271:11
[10] Tehillim 32:10
[11] K’gavna – Zohar 2:135
[12] Shulchan Aruch Harav 271:3
[13] Indeed, the Tikunei Shabbos and Magen Avraham do not mention the seventh hour. They only mention ‘the first hour of Shabbos’.
[14] Machatzis Hashekel ibid
[15] Igros Kodesh volume 12 page 226
[16] Shaarei Halacha Uminhag 1:141
[17] The Rebbe brings precedents from Halacha where we use approximations for astronomical calculations.
[18] Rabbi Zalman Shimon Dworkin. The Rebbe’s letter simply writes 6:00-7:00pm. Rabbi Leibel Groner is quoted as saying that this was the Rebbe’s view in all places.
[19] Shabbos 156a and 156b
[20] Igros Kodesh volume 13 page 120
[21] We see from this response, that the concern of harm is not just for the one making Kiddush, but also to all of those who are being Yotzai as well.
[22] See Igros Kodesh volume 13 p120 where the Rebbe brings this as an extra support to justifying the custom in Eretz Yisroel to be lenient if they make Kiddush immediately upon arriving home.
Many families, particularly Chabad Chassidim, will not make Kiddush during the seventh hour after midday, which is approximated as being the hour from 6:00-7:00pm. This practise is based on the ruling of the Magen Avraham which is adopted by the Shulchan Aruch Harav.
The Magen Avraham[1] quotes the Tikunei Shabbos[2] that on Friday night “one should make Kiddush before nightfall, because the beginning of the eve of Shabbos is subject to the influence of Mazal Maadim and the end of Friday is under the influence of Mazal Tzedek. Therefore, one should say Kiddush during the Mazal of Tzedek”[3].
In its full text, the Tikunei Shabbos reads:
“It is a Mitzvah to say Kiddush early… before the influence of Samae’l and the star Maadim at the beginning of the eve of Shabbos… and these two angels that accompany a person home on Shabbos are Tzadkie’l and Samae’l. Tzadkie’l serves during the last hour of Erev Shabbos and Samae’l during the first hour of Shabbos and he rules over the star of Maadim. Tzadkie’l is the good angel and Samae’l is the bad angel.”
Understanding the Mazalos
The teaching of the Tikunei Shabbos is based on the concept of Mazalos and their influence in the world.
Our sages identify seven heavenly bodies that exert influence on the world; the sun, the moon and the five planets which are visible from earth to the naked eye. These are referred to as the Seven Mazalos or the seven Kochvei Leches – literally moving stars.
The influence of these Mazalos follows a cyclical pattern, with each Mazal being dominant for one hour in turn. The order of the Mazalos is;
- Shabsai – Saturn
- Tzedek – Jupiter
- Maadim – Mars
- Chamah – the sun
- Nogah – Venus
- Kochav – Mercury and
- Levana – the moon.
They are represented by the acronym שצ"ם חנכ"ל created by the first letter of the name of each of the Mazalos in their order.
The pattern of the influence of the Mazalos started from the moment the heavenly bodies were created, at the beginning of the fourth day of Creation. Since in Torah the day begins on the previous evening, this refers to the first hour of Tuesday night. The same pattern has continued to repeat itself each week ever since[4].
Based on this cycle, the last hour of Friday is under the influence of Tzedek (Jupiter) and the first hour of Shabbos will be Maadim (Mars), as described by the Tikunei Shabbos.
The Mazal of Maadim is considered to have a negative influence. Maadim is appointed over war, pestilence[5] and destruction[6]. The Gemara[7] teaches that someone who is born in the hour under the influence of the Mazal Maadim will be a man who spills blood.
Corresponding Angels
The Tikunei Shabbos writes that the Mazal Maadim is the rule of Samae’l, who is identified as the Satan and the angel of destruction. Mazal Tzedek is the rule of the angel Tzadkie’l, an angel of righteousness and kindness.
He identifies these as the two angels that accompany us home from Shul on Friday night, one good and one bad, as described in the Talmud[8].
Since the first hour of the eve of Shabbos is under the influence of Mazal Maadim and the angel Samae’l, one should not make Kiddush during this time.
Halacha
Many Poskim do not adopt the ruling of the Tikunei Shabbos. The Mishna Berura does not bring this ruling at all. The Aruch Hashulchan[9] writes that this ruling is puzzling because “Chas VeShalom to say that we are under the influence of the Mazalos”.
The Aruch Hashulchan notes that the earlier sources teach that it was the non-Jews who would mourn on Shabbos because of the negative Mazalos. Hashem commanded us to light candles and to celebrate at this time, to show that we are beyond the influence of the Mazalos. He concludes with the verse “one who trusts in Hashem will be encompassed by Chessed - kindness”[10].
This protection is especially so on Shabbos when, “all rulers of anger and judgements flee and are removed”[11].
However, many Poskim, including the Alter Rebbe, do bring the teaching of the Tikunei Shabbos and the ruling of the Magen Avraham, as Halacha. The Alter Rebbe[12] writes “there are those who are careful not to make Kiddush during the first hour of the night, which is the seventh hour after midday”.
Calculation of the Seventh Hour
There is a minority view that the hours of the Mazalos are calculated based on “Shaos Zmanios” – Halachic hours – which change in duration according to the length of the day and night, which changes over the seasons. According to this view, the hour of Mazal Maadim will always begin at the same time that Shabbos comes in, extending for the first halachic hour after sunset[13].
However, most Poskim write that the hours of the Mazalos are based on “Shaos Shavos”, with each hour of the day always being 60 minutes[14]. The Lubavitcher Rebbe writes this emphatically[15], explaining that it is because the cycle of the Mazalos does not change from winter to summer. Each Mazal is dominant for 60 minutes at a time.
Since the commencement of Shabbos is determined by sunset, according to this view, the hour of Mazal Maadim may or may not correspond to the first hour of Shabbos – depending on the season and time of year. This is why the Alter Rebbe identifies the hour of Mazal Maadim as the seventh hour after midday, rather than the first hour of Shabbos.
For example, in winter sunset and the commencement of Shabbos may be at 4:30pm, yet for the purpose of the calculation of the Mazalos, Mazal Madim will be at 6:00pm.
Interestingly, because of the discrepancy, Machatzis Hashekel explains that the Tikunei Zohar only applies at the time of year where day and night are of equal length. Only then will the first hour of Shabbos also be the seventh hour from midday when Mazal Maadim is dominant.
Which Midday?
The Alter Rebbe and Poskim write that Mazal Maadim is during the seventh hour after midday. How is this defined?
True midday is the halfway point between sunrise and sunset. It is the time when the sun is directly overhead (solar noon). Depending on the season and time of year, the time that this occurs will change from week-to-week.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe writes[16] that seemingly, the calculation should begin six 60-minute hours after true midday. Nonetheless, in practise we calculate the 6 hours from the average midday and do not check each week and adjust the time based on when the technical midday is.
The Rebbe writes that even though this will not be technically accurate and it relates to a matter of potential Sakanah (danger), we apply the principle “Shomer Psaim Hashem”, that Hashem protects the feeble[17].
Different Time-zones
The average Chatzos as per above should be 12:00pm and the seventh hour should be from 6:00-7:00pm. This is the time which is usually referenced for not making Kiddush. However, there is another factor that needs to be considered and that is the longitudinal position of the place that one lives in any given time-zone.
True time is based on the position of the sun. This is known as solar time. For reasons of convenience, the world operates using agreed time-zones, where the cities within a broad geographic region will use the same standard time.
Because different cities within a given time-zone will be further to the east or west from one another, the arbitrary standard time applied there will likely not match up precisely with the solar time, which is based on the position of the sun.
As a result, depending on one’s location, what their clock shows as 12:00 noon, will not necessarily be the average true solar noon. Likewise, the clock-time of 6:00-7:00pm may not be the true time of the seventh hour based on solar time.
Many Poskim write that this must be taken into consideration when calculating the hour of Mazal Maadim. Accordingly, the time of Mazal Maadim needs to be adjusted to the exact longitudinal location and will not necessarily be exactly from 6:00-7:00pm. This is why in Melbourne, for example, many calculate the hour of Mazal Maadim from 6:20-7:20pm.
This is the also the reason why whilst both on Eastern Standard Time, Melbourne and Sydney will observe Mazal Maadim at different times, as Melbourne is positioned further west than Sydney.
Some Rabbonim[18] write that we do not take this into consideration and that the time of Mazal Maadim is observed from 6:00-7:00pm in every place, based on the standard clock time.
Daylight Saving Time
During the Summer, many cities change their clocks to daylight saving time. This too is purely arbitrary, with the clock simply being set one hour later. In daylight saving time, what is technically 6:00pm is now being called 7:00pm.
For the purposes of measuring the hour of Mazal Maadim based on clock-time, the time needs to be shifted one hour later. For example, in Melbourne during daylight saving time, Mazal Maadim will be from 7:20-8:20pm, which is 6:20-7:20pm in standard time.
Eretz Yisroel
Some Poskim and Gedolim write that the Minhag of not making Kiddush during the seventh hour does not apply in Eretz Yisroel. This is because Eretz Yisroel is under the direct supervision of Hashem and is unaffected by the influence of the Mazalos.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe dismisses this explanation because none of the original sources mention Eretz Yisroel as an exception. Further, we see in the Gemara that Tannaim who lived in Eretz Yisroel were worried about Mazalos[19].
In one letter[20], the Rebbe suggests that the reason that some do not observe this Minhag in Eretz Yisroel may be because in Eretz Yisroel they never accepted the Minhag, relying on the principle that those who are fulfilling a Mitzvah will not suffer harm.
However, it seems from these letters that the Rebbe’s position was that the Minhag should be observed in Eretz Yisroel.
White Wine and Kiddush on Challah
There is a view that the concern of making Kiddush during Mazal Maadim only applies when making Kiddush on red wine, since Maadim is associated with the colour red. If so, it would be permissible to make Kiddush on white wine during this time.
This position is negated by most Poskim and does not seem to have any Halachic basis. The concern of the Tikunei Shabbos is the making of Kiddush itself, no matter what Kiddush is recited over. It would apply even when making Kiddush over Challah where no wine is available.
Guests
In a different letter, the Rebbe addressed the suggestion that one can make Kiddush during this hour on behalf of guests who do not want to wait. The rationale is that the fulfilment of the Biblical Mitzvah of Hachnasas Orchim (hosting guests) will protect them from any harm.
The Rebbe responded that whilst this may be true for the host, the guests are not fulfilling any Mitvzah and would not have the protection. If so, the host would not have the merit of the Mitzvah of Hachnasas Orchim either, because instead of taking care of his guests by making Kiddush at this time, he is putting them in danger[21].
In specific situations where it would be very difficult to expect one’s guests to wait, especially in a communal or outreach setting, one should speak to a Rav for practical guidance.
Young Children and Shalom Bayis
If being strict to not make Kiddush during Mazal Maadim will affect Shalom Bayis (domestic harmony) or if one has young children who are not able to stay awake to wait the extra hour, one should try to make Kiddush before the hour of Mazal Maadim begins.
If the time that Davening finishes does not allow for one to make Kiddush before Mazal Maadim, one should speak to their Rav for personal, practical guidance.
Yomtov
Since the basis for not making Kiddush at this time is because Mazal Maadim is dominant during the first hour of Shabbos, it only applies to the first hour on Shabbos and not to any other day of the week, when a different Mazal will be dominant. Therefore, when Yomtov falls on a weekday, one may make Kiddush during the seventh hour from midday.
But what about making Kiddush on weekday Yomim Tovim during the hour that Mazal Maadim is dominant? For example, may one make the Yomtov Kiddush during the 3rd hour of the night on Tuesday night, when Mazal Maadim will also be dominant?
This scenario is not discussed in the original sources of this Halacha. It would appear that the concern of the Tikunei Shabos for the negative influence, is only when Mazal Maadim occurs in the first hour of the day i.e. the seventh hour after midday, which only occurs on Friday night.
Coming home from Shul
After bringing the ruling of the Magen Avraham, the Alter Rebbe concludes “we have already explained that Lechatchila one should make Kiddush immediately on coming home from Shul while it is still day”. This is because it is a Mitzvah is to make Kiddush as close as possible to the onset of Shabbos.
Some infer from the conclusion of this Halacha, that the Alter Rebbe is saying that if one comes home from Shul at the beginning of the seventh hour, they should make Kiddush immediately and that this overrides the concern of Mazal Maadim.
Whilst this approach is generally not followed, it may be basis for leniency in the scenarios of hosting guests, Shalom Bayis or young children discussed above[22].
Some people who are careful to not make Kiddush during Mazal Maadim, will make sure to not come home during the hour of Mazal Maadim. This way they avoid any question of having to make Kiddush immediately on arriving home.
___________________________________
[1] Orach Chaim 271:1
[2] A Kabbalistic Sefer on the order of Tikunei Shabbos
[3] Subsequently, the Magen Avraham quotes the Talmud Yeurshalmi that the practise is to eat the Shabbos meal one or two hours into the night. Aruch Hashulchan understands that this is being brought in support of the custom to not make Kiddush during the first hour.
[4] See Shabbos 123 and Rashi
[5] Rashi Shabbos 129b,
[6] Machatzis Hashekel 271:1
[7] Shabbos 156a
[8] Shabbos 119b. See the article on preparing our homes for Shabbos for further discussion on these two angels.
[9] Orach Chaim 271:11
[10] Tehillim 32:10
[11] K’gavna – Zohar 2:135
[12] Shulchan Aruch Harav 271:3
[13] Indeed, the Tikunei Shabbos and Magen Avraham do not mention the seventh hour. They only mention ‘the first hour of Shabbos’.
[14] Machatzis Hashekel ibid
[15] Igros Kodesh volume 12 page 226
[16] Shaarei Halacha Uminhag 1:141
[17] The Rebbe brings precedents from Halacha where we use approximations for astronomical calculations.
[18] Rabbi Zalman Shimon Dworkin. The Rebbe’s letter simply writes 6:00-7:00pm. Rabbi Leibel Groner is quoted as saying that this was the Rebbe’s view in all places.
[19] Shabbos 156a and 156b
[20] Igros Kodesh volume 13 page 120
[21] We see from this response, that the concern of harm is not just for the one making Kiddush, but also to all of those who are being Yotzai as well.
[22] See Igros Kodesh volume 13 p120 where the Rebbe brings this as an extra support to justifying the custom in Eretz Yisroel to be lenient if they make Kiddush immediately upon arriving home.