“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas
Chayei Sarah
Chayei Sarah
21 Cheshvan 5778/November
10, 2017
10, 2017
Someone
once told me that when people ask each other how they are doing, they mean
besides the fact that they’re tired. It’s as if they are saying, “I know you’re
tired; that goes without saying. But besides that, how are you?”
once told me that when people ask each other how they are doing, they mean
besides the fact that they’re tired. It’s as if they are saying, “I know you’re
tired; that goes without saying. But besides that, how are you?”
This
past week, we switched back to Eastern Standard Time. Most people were very excited
by the change, simply because it meant one hour of extra sleep.
past week, we switched back to Eastern Standard Time. Most people were very excited
by the change, simply because it meant one hour of extra sleep.
But
it all depends how you look at it. In his weekly call-in shiur this past
Thursday, Rabbi Yisroel Reisman encouraged everyone to take advantage of the
extra hour to use it wisely. He noted that his Navi Shiur begins at 8:30, and
if someone comes at 8:30 and changes his clock at the end of the shiur, he can
also leave at 8:30. An hour of no cost learning.
it all depends how you look at it. In his weekly call-in shiur this past
Thursday, Rabbi Yisroel Reisman encouraged everyone to take advantage of the
extra hour to use it wisely. He noted that his Navi Shiur begins at 8:30, and
if someone comes at 8:30 and changes his clock at the end of the shiur, he can
also leave at 8:30. An hour of no cost learning.
As
parents of young children, we don’t seem to share the excitement. It seems we
forgot to tell our 14-month-old twins about the time change. On Sunday morning
at 4:55 a.m., they were rearing to go, ready for the new day. I don’t even know
if it’s legal to wake up that early on a Sunday morning in the United States.
But they wouldn’t listen to our pleading and begging.
parents of young children, we don’t seem to share the excitement. It seems we
forgot to tell our 14-month-old twins about the time change. On Sunday morning
at 4:55 a.m., they were rearing to go, ready for the new day. I don’t even know
if it’s legal to wake up that early on a Sunday morning in the United States.
But they wouldn’t listen to our pleading and begging.
The
first of the 13 berachos recited each morning thanks Hashem, “who gave the sechvi
understanding to differentiate between day and night.”
first of the 13 berachos recited each morning thanks Hashem, “who gave the sechvi
understanding to differentiate between day and night.”
There
are two opinions as to what is the definition of “sechvi”. One opinion
is that it is a reference to the heart, and we are thanking Hashem for giving us
the ability to differentiate between night and day. The second opinion is that
it refers to the rooster, which begins its call in the wee hours of the
morning, marking the end of night and the commencement of the new day.
are two opinions as to what is the definition of “sechvi”. One opinion
is that it is a reference to the heart, and we are thanking Hashem for giving us
the ability to differentiate between night and day. The second opinion is that
it refers to the rooster, which begins its call in the wee hours of the
morning, marking the end of night and the commencement of the new day.
Rav
Zundel Kroizer zt’l (Siddur Ohr Hachama) notes that virtually all animals can
discern the difference between daylight and nighttime. The uniqueness of the
rooster is that it can sense the impending morning immediately at daybreak,
when it is yet completely dark outside, and the first crack of dawn is hardly
discernible.
Zundel Kroizer zt’l (Siddur Ohr Hachama) notes that virtually all animals can
discern the difference between daylight and nighttime. The uniqueness of the
rooster is that it can sense the impending morning immediately at daybreak,
when it is yet completely dark outside, and the first crack of dawn is hardly
discernible.
It
is for this reason that in text of the beracha we thank Hashem for giving the
knowledge “to differentiate between day and between night”. Prima facie, it
would seem more accurate to say, “between night and day”. However, as has been
explained, the beracha is thanking Hashem for granting the rooster the ability
to realize the new day even when it is still completely dark outside, and it
seems like it is still night. Most of the world only recognizes the new day
when the sun rises above the horizon. The rooster however, senses that the day
has begun even before the sun has started its ascent.
is for this reason that in text of the beracha we thank Hashem for giving the
knowledge “to differentiate between day and between night”. Prima facie, it
would seem more accurate to say, “between night and day”. However, as has been
explained, the beracha is thanking Hashem for granting the rooster the ability
to realize the new day even when it is still completely dark outside, and it
seems like it is still night. Most of the world only recognizes the new day
when the sun rises above the horizon. The rooster however, senses that the day
has begun even before the sun has started its ascent.
As
our clocks fall back to Eastern Standard Time, we begin a stretch of the year
when most of us begin our morning when it is still dark outside. Dovid Hamelech
states, “Ah’irah shachar – I wake the dawn.” Unlike the kings of the
world, Dovid Hamelech began his day during the end of the night. He woke the
dawn instead of vice-versa.
our clocks fall back to Eastern Standard Time, we begin a stretch of the year
when most of us begin our morning when it is still dark outside. Dovid Hamelech
states, “Ah’irah shachar – I wake the dawn.” Unlike the kings of the
world, Dovid Hamelech began his day during the end of the night. He woke the
dawn instead of vice-versa.
In
a sense, this is a historical strength of the Jewish People, who have always
hoped and yearned for the rising sun, even amidst the darkness.
a sense, this is a historical strength of the Jewish People, who have always
hoped and yearned for the rising sun, even amidst the darkness.
Still,
I hope that even as Hashem grants the rooster, and our hearts, the knowledge of
a new day even while it’s still dark, He allows our twins to sleep, at least a little
past dawn. Amen.
I hope that even as Hashem grants the rooster, and our hearts, the knowledge of
a new day even while it’s still dark, He allows our twins to sleep, at least a little
past dawn. Amen.
Shabbat
Shalom & Good Shabbos,
Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum