Dear Mordecai,
Rash"i D"H M'shehayuny " she'ein lo ner l'hadlik b'seuduso"
Rash"i seems to be implying the latest possible moment that there is still light from the sky [so that the poorman can see what he is eating]
From the Maskana, that this zman is later than zman kohen, we understand clearly that zman uny is at night after tzeis when it is already pitch dark
If Rashi is implying, that at this point we understand, that there is still light in the sky, then what is the whole shakla v'taryuh whether or not it is the same as zman kohen [it is definitely not]? And if it means after tzeis,(like the maskana), then what light can there be in the sky?
I had thought to answer (like the maskana) that there are different levels of darkness in the night - where only the poorman's eyes can still see since they are accustomed to using the smallest amount of light possible.
But it is impossible, since the gemorah equates 'tahar yuma' with 'tzeis' it seems that there is no light in the sky whatsoever!
How did you understand this Rashi?
Elimelech,
Your question is truly insightful. I'm glad you asked it, since we were bothered by the same question -- if the poorman eats after Tzeis ha'Kochavim, how does he save himself a candle? It's too dark to see anyhow! We looked around a bit but didn't find anyone who discussed it.
I believe the answer is that after Tzeis, all is not yet dark. It is still much lighter shortly afterwards, than much afterwards. The Vilna Gaon touches upon this in the beginning of Berachos: Tzeis is when 3 middle sized stars can be seen, but there is still much light in the sky. (This is as opposed to Alos ha'Shachar, according to hthe Vilna Gaon, which occurs as soon as the first ray of light reaches a place on earth.)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, and keep it up!
-Mordecai Kornfeld