{"id":493,"date":"2013-08-15T19:25:09","date_gmt":"2013-08-15T19:25:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.star-k.org\/articles\/?p=493"},"modified":"2026-03-04T21:16:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T21:16:32","slug":"international-dateline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.star-k.org\/articles\/kashrus-kurrents\/493\/international-dateline\/","title":{"rendered":"A Traveler’s Guide to the International Dateline"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Published Summer 2012<\/em><\/p>\n

Click here for a handy printable map.
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In today’s global market, the furthest regions of the Earth are much closer to home than one could ever imagine.\u00a0 For example, citric acid \u2013 an integral ingredient in soft drinks, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) \u2013 a common nutrient, and amino acids used in numerous food items, are produced in a variety of Star-K certified Chinese plants. \u00a0Star-K certified glycerine is manufactured in the Philippines and shipped to the United States. \u00a0Mashgichim<\/em> are frequently sent to Thailand, Fiji, Vietnam, and Indonesia to oversee production of kosher spices, tuna fish, and canned fruits and vegetables. \u00a0The Star-K has an office in Shanghai to administer the supervision and inspect facilities.<\/p>\n

When assigning a mashgiach<\/em> from the United States to inspect these factories, besides briefing the mashgiach<\/em> on ingredients, equipment, and products at the plant, the halachic<\/em> issues of crossing the International Dateline often must be addressed. \u00a0This issue is not unique to mashgichim<\/em>. \u00a0Tourists and business travelers flying1a<\/sup><\/a> to the Far East and South Pacific regions, as well as Hawaii and Alaska, are confronted with such shailos<\/em> on a regular basis.<\/p>\n

What is the International Dateline?<\/strong> \u00a0The International Dateline accepted worldwide (hereafter referred to as the Civil Dateline) is an imaginary line zig-zagging around 180\u00b0 longitude through the Pacific Ocean (see attached map), separating one day from the other. \u00a0If it is 1:00 p.m. Monday on the eastern side of the Dateline, it is 1:00 p.m. Tuesday on the western side.1b<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Therefore, if one travels from the United States to China, a day is “lost”.\u00a0 For example, if one crosses at noon Monday, one would turn his watch (with date display) ahead from noon Monday to noon Tuesday as he crosses the line traveling westbound, “skipping” Monday afternoon and night, and Tuesday morning. \u00a0When one travels from China to the United States, a day is “gained,” as one would turn his watch back from noon Tuesday to noon Monday. \u00a0This person will experience Monday afternoon and night, as well as Tuesday morning, twice.<\/p>\n

Halacha<\/em> addresses two aspects of the Dateline: \u00a0The location and halachic<\/em> implications of crossing the Dateline.<\/p>\n

I. Location:<\/strong> Various Rishonim<\/em>, early commentators, and many Acharonim<\/em>, later commentators, have written extensively on this topic. \u00a0The three major opinions are as follows:<\/p>\n

A. The Chazon Ish<\/em><\/strong>2<\/sup><\/a> bases his opinion on the Baal Hamaor<\/em>‘s explanation of a gemara<\/em> in Rosh Hashana<\/em>.3<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 The Dateline “technically” runs 90 degrees east of Yerushalayim<\/em>,4<\/sup><\/a> where the time is six hours later. This line is at 125.2\u00b0E and runs through Australia, the Philippines, China, North Korea and Russia.<\/p>\n

However, if this was the Dateline it would cut through land.\u00a0 For example, it would intersect Dongfeng Street in Changchun, China.\u00a0 Families on the eastern strip of Dongfeng Street would recite kiddush<\/em> while families a block to the west would recite havdala<\/em>.\u00a0 It may be possible for those who want two days of Shabbos<\/em> to walk one block eastbound, down Dongfeng Street, after Seuda Shlishis <\/em>and start Shabbos<\/em> again. \u00a0Those who want to skip almost all of Shabbos<\/em> could take a short stroll westbound, and go from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. \u00a0However, halacha<\/em> does not allow for such a situation. Instead, we consider the eastern land masses tafel<\/em> (secondary) to the western land masses of these same continents. \u00a0Therefore, eastern landmasses of Asia and Australia observe the same day for Shabbos<\/em> as the western sections.\u00a0 This is known as graira<\/em>.5<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Therefore, the halachic<\/em> Dateline of the Chazon Ish<\/em> avoids going through land by gerrymandering along the Asian coast (see map), then along the 125.2\u00b0E longitude line, through the East China Sea, Philippines, and Indonesia.\u00a0 Finally, the line cuts eastward, around most of the northern, eastern and southern coasts of Australia, and then at 125.2\u00b0 E turns south towards Antarctica.
\nAccording to the Chazon Ish<\/em>, Japan, New Zealand, Tasmania, and Fiji are on the same side of the Dateline as the United States.\u00a0 When the Japanese and New Zealand residents say it is Saturday, halacha<\/em> says it is Friday. \u00a0When they say it is Sunday, it is halachically<\/em> Shabbos<\/em>.\u00a0 This would also apply to parts of Indonesia and the Philippines.<\/p>\n

B. Rav Yechiel Michel Tukatzinsky, zt\u201dl<\/strong>,6<\/sup><\/a> bases his ruling on Chazal<\/em>‘s Judaic principle that Yerushalayim<\/em> is “the center of the world.”\u00a0 If so, the Earth “starts and ends” (i.e. the Dateline) on the exact opposite side of the Earth, halfway around the globe at 144.8\u00b0W. This line runs from the Gulf of Alaska through the Pacific Ocean east of Hawaii, placing the entire state of Hawaii on the “other side of the Dateline” from the United States.\u00a0 Hawaii would then be nineteen hours ahead of Baltimore, rather than five hours behind, as it is on the same side of the Dateline as Asia. \u00a0The day Hawaiians call Friday is halachically Shabbos<\/em>, and the day they call Saturday is halachically<\/em> Sunday.7<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

C. “Mid-Pacific Poskim<\/em>“<\/strong> – Several Poskim<\/em>, including the Bnai Tzion<\/em>,8<\/sup><\/a> are of the opinion that the halachic<\/em> Dateline runs through the middle of the Pacific Ocean and closely resembles the Civil Dateline. \u00a0According to these opinions, Japan and New Zealand are on the western side of the Dateline (similar to Asia), and residents of these locations observe Shabbos<\/em> on the local Saturday. \u00a0Hawaii is on the eastern side of the Dateline (similar to America), and residents observe Shabbos<\/em> on their local Saturday.<\/p>\n

The exact location varies among the Mid-Pacific Poskim<\/em>. \u00a0The Bnai Tzion<\/em>‘s Dateline slants westward through the Bering Straits (between Alaska and Siberia), touching the Siberian coast, through the Pacific Ocean at approximately 177\u00b0E (west of Fiji), then turns east of New Zealand.\u00a0 Other Mid-Pacific Poskim<\/em>, including Rabbi B. Rabinowitz Thumim,9<\/sup><\/a> Atzei Sodeh<\/em>10<\/sup><\/a> and Alai Yonah<\/em> are of the opinion that the line is at 169.7\u00b0W – from the eastern tip of Siberia, directly southward through the Pacific Ocean, 10\u00b0 east of the Civil Dateline.11<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

What is the Halacha<\/em>?<\/strong> \u00a0One should consult with his Rav<\/em> prior to crossing the Pacific Ocean, especially if he must stay over Shabbos<\/em> in Japan, New Zealand, or Hawaii.\u00a0 The halachic<\/em> ruling of HaRav<\/em> Moshe Heinemann, shlit”a<\/em>, Rabbinic Administrator of the Star-K, is as follows: \u00a0One should follow the majority of opinions (as listed in sections A, B and C above) in determining which day is observed as Shabbos<\/em>, and also observe dinei d\u2019Oraisa shel Shabbos<\/em>, Shabbos<\/em> prohibitions of the Torah<\/em>, on the day of the minority opinion. \u00a0However, Rabbinic prohibitions, such as shopping and the handling of muktzah<\/em>, are permissible on the day which the minority opinion considers Shabbos<\/em>. \u00a0In addition, performing even a biblically prescribed violation of Shabbos<\/em> through a shinui<\/em>, unusual manner, or through the action of a non-Jew, would be permitted on the day which the minority opinion considers Shabbos<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The halachic<\/em> ramifications of this psak<\/em> are as follows: \u00a0In New Zealand and Japan, “Saturday” is Shabbos<\/em> according to Reb<\/em> Yechiel Michel Tukatzinsky and the Mid-Pacific Poskim<\/em>. \u00a0Therefore, the local Saturday should be fully observed as Shabbos<\/em>, with tefilos<\/em> Shabbos<\/em> and kiddush<\/em>, etc.\u00a0 However, according to the Chazon Ish<\/em>, Shabbos<\/em> is on the local Sunday. \u00a0Therefore, one should not perform any melacha d\u2019Oraisa<\/em> on Sunday. \u00a0Nevertheless, on Sunday, one should daven<\/em> regular weekday tefillos<\/em>, donning tefillin<\/em> during Shacharis<\/em>.<\/p>\n

In Hawaii, “Saturday” is Shabbos<\/em> according to the Chazon Ish<\/em> and the Mid-Pacific Poskim<\/em>. \u00a0Therefore, the local Saturday is fully observed as Shabbos<\/em>. \u00a0The day known locally as “Friday” is Shabbos<\/em> according to Reb<\/em> Yechiel Michel Tukatzinsky, and one should not perform melacha d\u2019Oraisa<\/em> on that day. \u00a0Cooking for Shabbos<\/em> should be done on Thursday.\u00a0 On Friday, when preparing for \u201cShabbos<\/em>\u201d, one may turn on hot water, electricity or fire (e.g. to cook) with a shinui<\/em>.\u00a0 To light Shabbos<\/em> candles, using one\u2019s elbow or chin (a shinui<\/em>), turn on two flashlights12<\/sup><\/a> that use incandescent bulbs13<\/sup><\/a> and then recite the brocha<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Determining the majority opinion on the Aleutian Islands or South Pacific Islands, including Fiji, American Samoa, and Samoa,14<\/sup><\/a> is complicated and beyond the scope of our discussion. \u00a0Consult a Rav<\/em>.\u00a0 However, in the following locations, Shabbos<\/em> is observed on the local Saturday, and a “second day” is not necessary: \u00a0Australia, China, Russia, and Korea.15<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 This is also the case in Hong Kong and Taiwan.<\/p>\n

II. Crossing the Dateline:<\/strong> \u00a0Repeating or skipping a day by crossing the Dateline poses various concerns in many aspects of halacha<\/em>, including davening<\/em>, sefira<\/em>, holidays, and laws of family purity.\u00a0 The guidelines are as follows: \u00a0Halachos<\/em> relating specifically to the time of day are not affected by crossing the Dateline. \u00a0For example, if one davens Shacharis<\/em> on Monday morning on a plane flying westbound, and crosses the Dateline “into” Tuesday morning, one does not daven<\/em> Shacharis<\/em> again.16<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0The person has already fulfilled his obligation and is not required to perform these mitzvos<\/em> until the sun sets and rises again. \u00a0Furthermore, if one crosses eastbound and experiences an additional sunrise, one would daven<\/em> Shacharis<\/em> again, even if the day is repeated.17<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 However, mitzvos<\/em> that are dependent on the day of the week or month are affected by crossing the Dateline. \u00a0For example, if one crosses the line westbound from 1:00 p.m. Thursday to 1:00 p.m. Friday, one must begin preparing for Shabbos<\/em> as it is Erev Shabbos<\/em> and Shabbos<\/em> will begin in several hours.\u00a0 If one flies westbound from 1:00 p.m. on Monday, the 16th of Tammuz<\/em>, and crosses the halachic<\/em> Dateline to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday on the 17th of Tammuz<\/em>, one fasts until nightfall.18<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

III. Sample Itineraries: <\/strong><\/p>\n

A. Westbound – “Lose a Day”<\/strong> – Qantas Airlines Flight #12
\nLeave Los Angeles 10:10 p.m. Sunday – Arrive Sydney 6:10 a.m. Tuesday<\/p>\n

Except for the end of the flight, this 15 hour flight is through the night. \u00a0One davens<\/em> Maariv<\/em> in Los Angeles.\u00a0 After crossing the Dateline, an additional Maariv<\/em> is not required, even though it instantaneously becomes the next night.19<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 If Sunday night is 32 b’omer<\/em>, and one counts sefira<\/em> in Los Angeles, when crossing the Dateline one counts 33 b’omer <\/em>without a brocha<\/em> and then again counts 33 b\u2019omer<\/em> without a brocha<\/em> upon landing in Sydney on Tuesday morning. On Tuesday night, 34 b’omer<\/em>, and on the remaining nights of sefira<\/em>, a brocha<\/em> is recited.20<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0On Chanukah<\/em>, if one lights three Chanukah<\/em> candles on Sunday night, before leaving Los Angeles, one lights five candles on Tuesday night in Sydney. \u00a0The fourth night is “skipped”. \u00a0If a hefsek tahara<\/em> was performed on the previous Shabbos<\/em> afternoon, Sunday is Day #1 of the shiva n’kiim<\/em>, Monday is skipped, Tuesday is Day #2, etc. Sunday is Day #7, and one goes to the mikvah<\/em> on Sunday night.21<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Shabbos<\/em> and Yom Tov<\/em>22<\/sup><\/a> are on the same day on which the Australians keep it.23<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

B. Eastbound – “Gain a Day”<\/strong> – United Airlines Flight #896
\nLeave Hong Kong 11:10 a.m. Tuesday – Arrive Chicago 12:50 p.m. Tuesday<\/p>\n

The sun sets several hours into this 13 hour flight. \u00a0It then rises several hours later. One davens<\/em> Tuesday’s Mincha<\/em> two hours after take-off, Maariv<\/em> after nightfall, and Shacharis<\/em> after sunrise. \u00a0Although the Dateline has been crossed before sunrise, and it is Tuesday morning again, one davens<\/em> the Tuesday Shacharis<\/em> on the plane and Tuesday Mincha<\/em> in Chicago. \u00a0One davens<\/em> all three tefilos<\/em> twice on Tuesday since these laws are governed by cycles of sunrise and sunset, not days of the week.24<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0If Tuesday is 33 b’omer<\/em>, 33 b’omer<\/em> is counted on Monday night in Hong Kong.\u00a0 After landing in Chicago on Tuesday, 33 b’omer<\/em> is counted again without a bracha o<\/em>n Tuesday night, 34 b’omer<\/em>, and on the remaining nights of sefira<\/em>, a bracha<\/em> is recited.25<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0If Tuesday is the third day of Chanukah<\/em>, three candles are lit on Monday night in Hong Kong and four candles on Tuesday night in Chicago. Hallel<\/em> is recited nine times, as one davens<\/em> Shacharis<\/em> on Tuesday morning (the third day of Chanukah<\/em>) twice.\u00a0 In this case, if a woman made a hefsek<\/em> tahara<\/em> on Sunday afternoon in Hong Kong, and crossed the Dateline during the Shiva Neki\u2019im<\/em>, she could go to the mikvah<\/em> on Motzai Shabbos<\/em>, as she has experienced seven days and seven nights.26<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

One should preferably not depart Sydney, Hong Kong or Shanghai going east over the Pacific on Sunday as, according to the Chazon Ish<\/em>, it is Shabbos<\/em> shortly after take-off, when the plane begins flying northeast over the Pacific Ocean. \u00a0B\u2019shaas hadchak<\/em> (if very necessary), if one flies on Sunday, one should not do any melacha d’Oraisa<\/em> until nightfall. \u00a0Similarly, it is preferable that one should not depart from these locations (to fly east toward America) on Friday. \u00a0B\u2019shaas hadchak<\/em>, if one departs on Friday,27<\/sup><\/a> one must take off well before sunset (to avoid issues of t\u2019chum Shabbos<\/em>) and keep Shabbos<\/em> from sunset until crossing 144.8\u00b0W longitude, when it is Friday again according to all opinions, including Reb <\/em>Yechiel Michel Tucatzinsky.28<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

In the summer of 1894, the Rav<\/em> of Melbourne, Rav<\/em> Avraham Abir Hirschwitz, traveled by ship from Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand, and San Francisco. \u00a0The details of his trip and psak<\/em> were published in 1908 in his sefer<\/em>, Shailos U’ Teshuvos Beis Avrohom<\/em>. Perhaps at the time, those studying this sefer<\/em> thought this was halacha she’aino nogaya l’maaseh<\/em>, non-practical, non-relevant law. \u00a0Little did they realize that one hundred years later, Jews from all over the world would fly this route on a regular basis, and the laws would become more relevant than they could ever imagine.<\/p>\n

The author wishes to thank Rabbi S.D. Siegel, author of Atzei Sodeh, Rabbi Yisroel Taplin, author of Sefer Taarich Yisroel, and Mr. Chaim Brumer for their invaluable assistance in preparing the original article on this topic, published in 1997.\u00a0 Special thanks to R\u2019 Eliyahu Hershfeld for his assistance and for providing the map, as found at <\/em>www.kosherjava.com\/2012\/03\/25\/the-halachic-date-line-map\/<\/a>.\u00a0 For a detailed discussion in English on this topic, see \u201cThe Dateline in Halacha\u201d by Rabbi Zalman Tropper.<\/em><\/p>\n

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1a.<\/span> For general halachos<\/em> regarding davening<\/em> times when flying see Time Flies: A Guide To Time-Related Halachos When<\/em> Flying<\/a> & for a printable map of the world showing the different opinions regarding the Halachic <\/em>Dateline, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1b.<\/a> In reality, there are locations whose times differ by 25 and even 26 hours.\u00a0 When it is 12:01 a.m. Tuesday on Kiritimati Island, in the easternmost time zone of the world, it is 12:01 a.m. Monday \u2013 24 hours earlier in Honolulu (which is directly north); in Pago Pago, American Samoa it is 11:01 p.m. on Sunday night.\u00a0 In the uninhabited shipping regions just east of the Dateline, and on Howland & Baker Islands, it is 10:01 p.m. on Sunday night \u2013 26 hours behind Kiritimati.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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2.<\/a> In Kunteres Yud Ches Sha\u2019os<\/em>.\u00a0 This is also the opinion of the Kuzari<\/em> (2:19-20) and various other Rishonim<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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3.<\/a> Rosh Hashanah <\/em>20b, which discusses the appearance of the new moon in different regions of the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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4.<\/a> The Kodesh Hakadashim,<\/em> on the Har Habayis,<\/em> was located at or near 35\u00b0\u00a014\u2019 07″ E longitude and 31\u00b0 46\u2019 41″ N latitude.\u00a0 The Baal Hamaor\u2019s line <\/em>would be 90\u00b0 east of this longitudinal line.\u00a0 See Sefer Shaarei Zmanim<\/em>, Siman<\/em> 4 Footnote 2, as to how the exact location of the Har Habayis<\/em> impacts on understanding the time of the molad<\/em> and Kiddush Levana<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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5.<\/a> This is based on the Yesod Olam<\/em>, Rav<\/em> Yitzchok Yisraeli, a talmid<\/em> of the Rosh<\/em>.\u00a0 For a full discussion of graira<\/em> and those who disagree with this concept, see Sefer<\/em> Taarich Yisroel<\/em> 1:4-8, and 1:14.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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6.<\/a> The author of the Gesher Hachaim<\/em>, in Sefer Hayomam B’Kadur Ha’aretz<\/em>. Harav<\/em> Yosef Eliyahu Henken, zt\u201dl,<\/em> has a similar opinion in Edus L\u2019Yisroel <\/em>page 119.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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7.<\/a> According to this opinion, the Aleutian Islands of Alaska are on the western side of the dateline. Whether this opinion holds of graira<\/em> is a safek<\/em> and, in turn, there is a machlokes haposkim<\/em>.\u00a0 If graira<\/em> is said, then all of mainland Alaska is the same day as the rest of North America.\u00a0 According to the opinion that graira<\/em> is not said, the line runs through the city of Central, AK and, therefore, most of Alaska \u2013 including Anchorage and Fairbanks \u2013 are on the western side of the Dateline.\u00a0 However, either way, Juneau and Sitka are on the eastern side and the same day of the week as the Lower 48 states.\u00a0 For a full discussion, see Sefer Taarich Yisroel <\/em>1:15.\u00a0 In Alaska, there are additional halachic<\/em> concerns above the Arctic Circle (where it can be 24 hours day or night).\u00a0 For a full discussion, see Sefer Shaarei Zemanim Siman<\/em> 11 and\u00a0“When Does One Pray When There Is No Day”<\/a> in Kashrus Kurrents, Summer 2007.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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8.<\/a> Rav<\/em> Dovid Shapiro in Shaalos U\u2019teshuvos Bnai Tzion<\/em> 2:10.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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9.<\/a> In Hapardes, Iyar 5714<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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10.<\/a> Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Siegel zt”l<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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11.<\/a> For a full discussion of additional opinions, including those who hold that one follows the local tradition and other similar opinions, see Sefer<\/em> Taarich Yisroel<\/em> 1:11-12.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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12.<\/a> One may use one flashlight, if that is all that is available.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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13.<\/a> One may not use a fluorescent or LED light, as they are not considered a ner<\/em> (candle), even though they may be aish<\/em> (fire).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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14.<\/a> L\u2019halacha<\/em>, one keeps 49 hours of Shabbos every weekend, due to this safek<\/em>.\u00a0 At the end of 2011, Samoa \u201cskipped\u201d the entire Friday, December 30 by turning their clocks ahead 24 hours in order to switch from the eastern side of the dateline to the western side (i.e. the same day as New Zealand).\u00a0 Therefore, any Yid <\/em>there should have kept Shabbos from sunset on Thursday, until it became dark on Sunday night (49 hours later).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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15.<\/a> The above is true if land is attached to the Asian or Australian continent\u00a0 Islands (i.e. Incheon\u00a0Island where the Seoul, South Korea airport is) may have a different status, depending upon their location.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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16.<\/a> One should, however, recite the Yom <\/em>for Tuesday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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17.<\/a> This is similar to the opinion of the Tshuvos<\/em> Betzel Hachochma<\/em> (5:103) written by Harav Betzalel Stern.\u00a0 See Sefer Taarich Yisroel<\/em> 4:2, that this is also the opinion of Harav Y.S. Eliashiv shlit”a<\/em>.\u00a0 It should be noted that the Sefer Emek Hateshuva<\/em> (2:6), written by Harav Yechezkel Roth, disagrees and is of the opinion that one davens \u00a0based on the date.\u00a0 For example, according to this opinion, if one flies west at night and crosses the dateline, one should daven Maariv again.\u00a0 If one flies eastbound over the dateline and repeats a day, one need not daven again, despite the sunset and sunrise.\u00a0 Rabbi Yisroel Taplin suggests a \u201ccompromise\u201d between both opinions is to daven Shemoneh Esrei<\/em> with a \u201ct\u2019nai nedava<\/em>\u201d (i.e., conditionally: one says, \u201cThis Shemoneh Esrei<\/em>\u00a0is a nedava<\/em> [gift] if I am not obligated, but it is a regular Shemoneh Esrei<\/em> if I am obligated\u201d).\u00a0 For a full explanation of this opinion, see Taarich Yisroel <\/em>(4:15 & 20).\u00a0 This compromise is a \u201chiddur.<\/em>\u201d L\u2019halacha l\u2019maase<\/em>,\u00a0 <\/i>Rav Moshe Heinemann holds that one can follow the opinion of the Betzel Hachochma<\/em>, as noted above.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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18.<\/a> See Sefer Yisroel V\u2019hazmanim, Siman<\/em> 79.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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19.<\/a> See Footnote 17.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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20.<\/a> Sefer Yisroel V\u2019hazemanim<\/em>, Siman <\/em>79.\u00a0 He also notes that Shavuos\u00a0is celebrated on the same day as the locals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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21.<\/a> See Footnote 26.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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22.<\/a> Including Shavuos<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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23.<\/a> The following westbound flight poses a fascinating shaila<\/em>.\u00a0 China Airlines Flight #5 in the winter, leaves Los Angeles at 1:55 p.m. on Friday, arriving in Taipei, Taiwan on Motzai Shabbos<\/em> at 8:35 p.m.\u00a0 On this flight, one departs on Friday afternoon and lands Motzai Shabbos<\/em>!\u00a0 When the sun goes down, or when one crosses the Dateline, whichever comes first, it is Shabbos<\/em> at 37,000 feet for several hours, until one crosses the Dateline into \u201cMotzai Shabbos<\/em>\u201d or it gets dark.\u00a0 Since he does not take off or land on Shabbos<\/em>, if a person is not mechalel Shabbos<\/em> on the plane, there are svaros<\/em> to be matir<\/em> this flight.\u00a0\u00a0 Nonetheless, the consensus of the poskim<\/em> is to avoid taking this flight and skipping most of Shabbos\u00a0<\/em>(see Igros Moshe O.C. <\/em>3:96).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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24.<\/a> See Footnote 17.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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25.<\/a> See Footnote 20.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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26.<\/a> This is based on the explanation above, in Section II \u201cCrossing The Dateline\u201d.\u00a0 See Tshuvos L\u2019Horos Nosson<\/em> 11:6:7. Note that the Teshuvos Avnei Yashpay – Orach Chaim Siman 46 Anaf 6 disagrees and says if she made hefsek tahara in Australia on Sunday night and then flew to Los Angeles, she would still have to wait until Sunday night to go to the Mikvah as the repeated day does not count as an extra day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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27.<\/a> Sefer Taarich Yisroel<\/em> 21:15 quotes several poskim<\/em>, including Rav<\/em> Eliashiv shlita<\/em>, who holds this is permissible in order to be home with one\u2019s family for Shabbos<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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28.<\/a> Once one reaches 169\u00b0 W, one may perform issurei d\u2019rabanan<\/em> but should refrain from d\u2019Oraisas<\/em> until reaching 144.8\u00b0 W or mainland Alaska.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

View Map of the International Dateline<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Published Summer 2012<\/p>\n

Click here for a handy printable map.
\n<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

In today’s global market, the furthest regions of the Earth are much closer to home than one could ever imagine.\u00a0 For example, citric acid \u2013 an integral ingredient in soft drinks, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) \u2013 a common nutrient, and amino acids used in numerous food items, are produced in a variety of Star-K certified Chinese plants. \u00a0Star-K certified glycerine is manufactured in the Philippines and shipped to the United States. \u00a0Mashgichim are frequently sent to Thailand, Fiji, Vietnam, and Indonesia to oversee production of kosher spices, tuna fish, and canned fruits and vegetables. \u00a0The Star-K has an office in Shanghai to administer the supervision and inspect facilities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":3346,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28,27,318,51,42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kashurs-kurrents-2012","category-kashrus-kurrents","category-kashrus-kurrents-in-app","category-summer-kashrus-kurrents-2012","category-travel"],"yoast_head":"\nKashrus Kurrents Summer Travel | STAR-K Kosher Certification<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The International Dateline accepted worldwide is an imaginary line zig-zagging around 180\u00b0 longitude through the Pacific Ocean separating one day\u2026\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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