Q. (See question above). Dear Rov. I just saw this question (above) and it was totally strange to me. First what exactly is the "Tekufa" mentioned? Why should one not drink water then"? (Never heard anything like that before).
I really thank you. since reading your question is a true education. Thanks.
A. As we know there are four seasons of the year recognized by our Talmudical Sages and named Tekufos. According to Rav Shmuel, each tekufah marks the beginning of a period of 91 days 7½ hours. The four tekufos are:
1) Tekufas Nisan, known as the vernal equinox, (when the sun enters the Aries constellation); this is the beginning of spring, when day and night are equal.
2) Tekufas Tammuz, commonly known as the summer solstice, (when the sun enters Cancer); this is the summer season (Katzir or harvest-time), also when the day is the longest in the year.
3) Tekufas Tishrei, the autumn equinox, when the sun enters the Libra constellation, and autumn, or "es ha-botsir" (vintage-time), begins, and when the day again equals the night.
4) Tekufas Teves, the winter solstice, (when the sun enters Capricorns constellation;) this is the beginning of winter, or "es ha-cḥoref",] when the night is the longest during the year.
See next question.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
Important Numbers
