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Nisan, in particular Pesach, is supremely concerned with Time. The z’manim (times) of Pesach, from Bedikat Chametz through the end of Passover, are crucial to the Mitzvot and strictly observed. When can we begin our
search for Chametz? When is the last time to eat or own it on erev Pesach? When do we start our Seder? By when must we eat the Afikoman? How much time do I have to swallow the required amount of Matza? And that
most popular of all Seder questions: What time do we eat?!
The Hebrew word for "time" is z’man. It’s interesting to note three other Hebrew words with the very same root: "Hazmana", an invitation; "Zimun," the calling to order of a quorum in order to introduce Birkat HaMazon; and "Zamin," which means,"accessible," as in being reachable by cell phone (a must for every Israeli!).
What do these seemingly disparate derivatives of Zman, time, have in common?
I suggest the following: Time is one of G-d’s greatest gifts and one of humanity’s most precious commodities. It is invisible, yet it surrounds us at every moment. It is ephemeral, yet we cannot stop it or slow it, despite all our
mighty efforts. At times we waste it - even kill it! - but we will fight for every ounce of it when it is running short.
G-d gives each of us a certain supply of Time in this world. We are "called to order" in order to fulfill a holy mission, the essence of which is to cause G-d’s name to be revealed and revered. We will receive many invitations
from Hashem during our life-Time to justify our having been created, but we will only be able to answer the call if we are zamin, accessible at that precise moment.
Life, in many ways, is like a train. It runs on a schedule and if you miss it, you may wait a long time to catch that train again - if ever. So we must "train" ourselves accordingly to keep careful "track" of our valuable time; "engineering" our time so that we spend every minute of it wisely. For at the end of the day, Time will tell us what befell us.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
