Does the alef in the siman and in "b'alef shel tamuz" represent zero (i.e.) chatzos?
Marc Diamond, Providence, RI
The 'Alef' in the Siman 'Azgi ... ' mentioned in Rashi (with regard to the Tekufah of Nisan) stands for the beginning of the day (i.e. dawn-break), as Rashi himself specifically explains. Shmuel lists the beginning of the day and midnight as two out of the four possible times when the Tekufah of Nisan can fall.
be'Virchas Kol Tuv
Eliezer Chrysler.