zmanim

Zmanim

Return halachic times for a given date and the user's saved location.

Steps

1. Read config:

   CONFIG="${CLAUDE_USER_DATA:-${XDG_DATA_HOME:-$HOME/.local/share}/claude-plugins}/jewish-utilities/config.json"
   

   If missing, prompt the user to run /jewish-utilities:onboard first and stop.

2. Resolve target date. Default to today (in the user's timezone). Accept Gregorian or Hebrew date input.

3. Call the zmanim MCP server. Preferred backend is zmanim-mcp-server (https://github.com/ariroffe72/zmanim-mcp-server) — it uses python-zmanim (a port of KosherJava) with NOAA-based astronomical calculations and supports GR"A and MG"A opinions.

   Tools to use:

   • zmanim_get_daily_times — comprehensive daily set (preferred default)
   • zmanim_get_sunrise_sunset
   • zmanim_get_shema_times — GR"A and MG"A
   • zmanim_get_tefila_times — GR"A and MG"A
   • zmanim_get_mincha_times — Mincha Gedola, Mincha Ketana, Plag HaMincha
   • zmanim_get_shabbat_times — candle-lighting, havdalah

   Pass latitude, longitude, timezone from config. For shabbat times, pass candle_lighting_offset from config (default 18, Jerusalem 40).

   If the zmanim MCP server isn't installed, tell the user how to add it:

   claude mcp add zmanim -- uvx zmanim-mcp-server
   

4. Fallback — if the zmanim MCP isn't available and the user doesn't want to install it, use the hebcal REST endpoint: https://www.hebcal.com/zmanim?cfg=json&latitude=...&longitude=...&tzid=...&date=YYYY-MM-DD. Do not silently approximate.

5. Format the response as a table with timezone shown next to times. Group by category (dawn, morning prayer, midday, afternoon, sunset/night). Show GR"A and MG"A side-by-side where both apply.

Optional flags

• "Use 72-minute opinion only" — filter the output.
• "Compare cities" — accept ad-hoc lat/lon for a one-off comparison without overwriting saved config.
• "Output JSON" — request the MCP's JSON format for further processing.