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September 14, 2001
Rosh Hashanah - Jewish lifecycles
The perfect time for the Torah (Opinion)
The Jewish year is marked by seasonal festivals and lifecycle events.
ESTHER TAUBY SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
What has hands but cannot write? What is used and renewed but never
replaced? What flies without wings? If you answered, "a clock
and time," you are correct. It seems that we are obsessed with
time, trying to make the most of it. What is the Torah perspective
regarding this issue?
It is obvious that time is important to Hashem. Both the Written
and Oral Torah begin with the concept of time. The first word of
the Torah is Bereishit(In the beginning). The Talmud begins
with Maiaimotai (From when)? Hashem created time when He
created night and day, the sun, moon and seasons and then the Shabbat
as the climax of creation.
Time consciousness is woven into the cyclical fabric of Jewish
life. Every day is delineated by time-bound prayers and obligations.
From the moment we wake up in the morning until the moment we close
our eyes at night, there are things we must think, say and do. Shabbat
has been set aside each week for spirituality, away from the stress
and myriad tasks we must perform in our work week. Rosh Chodesh
celebrates each new month. Women were given Rosh Chodesh rewards
for not having participated in the sin of the golden calf.
We look forward to all the Jewish festivals with anticipation.
These are some examples of the way we and time are connected Our
festivals commemorate the Shalosh Rigalim (the three biblical
festivals) of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, during which Jews all
over Israel would gather at the Beit Hamikdash to bring korbanot
(sacrifices or offerings) and celebrate together in Yerushalayim.
Then there are the rabbinic holidays, Chanukah and Purim. To remember
our past, we also have six fasts a year that commemorate various
events in our history.
Ten days after Rosh Hashanah, we have Yom Kippur, the holiest day
of the year, a day of spiritual cleansing and a new beginning. Immediately
after breaking the fast, many people begin building their sukkah
to show Hashem an eagerness to prepare for the festival of Sukkot.
Sukkot lasts seven days, after which time Hashem bids us to stay
close to Him a bit longer and celebrate Shemini Atzeret.
Simchat Torah follows with much rejoicing and, once again, we begin
to read the Torah. The cycle continues.
In Judaism, counting connects time and space, and we are constantly
counting. Counting is a way of noting something special. Hashem
counted us many times to show His great love for us. In response
to an elderly woman who inquired of the Lubavitcher Rebbe when he
was more than 90 years old, how he was able to stand many hours
every Sunday and greet the thousands of Jews who came from all over
the world requesting his blessing, the rebbe replied, "When
one counts diamonds, one never tires."
Just as children count with anticipation the days before their
birthday, we count from Pesach to Shavuot, 49 days of the Omer,
after which we became a nation upon receiving the Torah on Har Sinai,
the greatest event in our history.
Everything that Hashem created in this world has the potential
to be used for good or the opposite, G-d forbid. Time is no exception.
There are only 24 hours in a day, and how often do we say, "If
only we had more time!" We fill our time with many things,
but what would we do with more time? Be more productive? Accomplish
more? Maimonids was a great believer in maintaining balance in our
lives. Sounds good, but how many of us realize such a lofty intention?
Hashem gave us this world in order for us to perfect it and He
gave us the tools we need to accomplish this task. As Rosh Hashanah
approaches and we take stock of our past year, how many of us contemplate
how to make the upcoming year better, what mistakes can be rectified,
what lessons can be learned from past errors? What improvements
can we make in our relationship to Hashem and to our fellow human
beings? What specific goals can we highlight? What can we do to
better ourselves and our families, physically and spiritually? Would
Hashem be proud of our accomplishments of this past year? There
is always room for improvement.
Even though we are bound by time, we must try to enjoy our journey
through it at whatever stage we find ourselves, and not try to rush
or slow it down, which is impossible after all. "Time flies
when you're having fun," the saying goes. When you make doing
things you enjoy a priority, you even have energy for the things
you must do, but may not enjoy as much.
We have to show Hashem how much we appreciate every day, week,
month and year that He has given us. We must remember and celebrate
significant dates in our lives such as birthdays and anniversaries
with happiness and joy. Even the less-than-happy dates, such as
yahrzeits of friends and family, can be infused with a poignancy
that is not entirely sad.
My internal clock ticks louder as I realize that I need to make
my time on this earth count for something. As a rebbitzin, mother,
teacher, Hebrew school principal, writer, daughter, great-aunt,
friend and volunteer, I am trying to do just that. I strive to make
the most of my time and live life to its fullest.
Until Moshiach comes, we must continue with great faith, even when
we don't feel we can anymore. We must show, plead and cry to Hashem
that enough is enough! We recite Psalms for our brothers and sisters
in Israel and around the world. G-d willing, our hopes, prayers
and dreams will be fulfilled with the revelation of Hashem's greatness
and Moshiach's imminent arrival, when time will take on a whole
new meaning. Shanah tovah.
Esther Tauby is the education co-ordinator at Beth Tikvah
elementary school, a teacher and a writer living in Richmond.
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