When I have the chance to daven Maariv only close to chatzot (astronomical midnight), dilemmas arise. Sometimes I have time to either recite Kri’at Shema or Shemoneh Esrei before chatzot, but not both; which has precedence? Other times, I can daven all of Maariv before chatzot at home, but if I go to our local “minyan factory,” the minyan misses chatzot; which is better?
When is the correct time to daven maariv? Why is there no repetition of shmoneh esrei for maariv? Must women daven maariv? The chiyuv to daven, Plag HaMincha, and the dispute regarding the correct time to daven maariv.