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Notable Sources
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The Creation of Night and Day
TANAKH
The creation of night and day by God marks the first day with the transition from evening to morning, highlighting the divine orchestration of time. The first chapter of Genesis describes how God created light and established the cycle of day and night, emphasizing the significance of both in the divine order.
The Four Nights of Divine Revelation
TARGUM
Four specific nights in Jewish history are marked by divine revelation and pivotal events, culminating in the night of the Passover. The Targum Jerusalem on Exodus 12:42 highlights the significance of these nights, especially the night of the Exodus, which is commemorated annually during the Passover Seder.
Jacob's Mystical Night Vision
MIDRASH
Jacob's night vision of a ladder reaching to heaven is filled with mystical and symbolic elements that offer profound insights into Jewish tradition. Louis Ginzberg's early 20th-century work, Legends of the Jews, enriches the biblical account with imaginative details from Jewish folklore and midrashic traditions.
Divine Revelations in the Night
MIDRASH
God reveals Himself to the wicked in dreams at night to shame them. Aggadat Bereshit, a medieval midrashic text, recounts instances where God appeared to figures like Pharaoh, Abimelech, Laban, and Nebuchadnezzar in their dreams.
The Mystical Night
KABBALAH
The Zohar reveals the mystical division of the night into three parts, each governed by a different camp of holy angels. This foundational kabbalistic text, traditionally attributed to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, explores esoteric interpretations of the Torah.
Midnight Lamentations
MUSAR
Rising at midnight to lament the destruction of the Holy Temple and the exile of the Shechinah is a profound spiritual practice that seeks to arouse Heaven's mercy. The Kav HaYashar, an influential ethical and mystical work, describes the practice of Tikkun Chatzot (midnight prayers), urging the community to engage in midnight prayers and study.
Nighttime Devotion
JEWISH THOUGHT
The solitude of night offers a unique opportunity for an intimate and personal connection with God. In the 11th-century ethical work, Duties of the Heart, Bachya ibn Pekudah explores the spiritual benefits of nighttime devotion, drawing on verses from Isaiah and Song of Songs.
The Midnight Rectification
CHASIDUT
The practice of Tikkun Chatzot, or Midnight Rectification, is a profound spiritual discipline that seeks divine assistance for consistent engagement in nightly rituals. Rabbi Nathan of Breslov’s Likutei Tefilot offers prayers that help one mourn the destruction of the Temple and seek spiritual elevation at midnight.
A Divine Encounter at Night
TANAKH
The divine selection of a specific site for worship and sacrifice was communicated directly by God to Solomon during the night. The book of II Chronicles recounts the history of the Jewish people, focusing on the reign of King Solomon and the significance of the Temple.
The Perils of Night
COMMENTARY
Boaz's concern for Ruth's safety underscores the practical and immediate dangers of venturing out at night during a time of disorder and corruption. The book of Ruth, traditionally read during Shavuot, highlights themes of loyalty, kindness, and the lineage of King David.
Remembering the Exodus at Night
MISHNAH
The obligation to mention the exodus from Egypt at night underscores the importance of remembering this pivotal event in Jewish history both day and night. The Mishnah, an early third-century compilation of Jewish oral laws, discusses this obligation in the context of the evening Shema prayer.
The Night of the Firstborn
TANAKH
The divine intervention of God striking down all the first-born in Egypt during the night highlights the specific and targeted nature of this act against the Egyptians, from the highest to the lowest, including the first-born of the cattle. The Torah’s account of the final and most devastating of the ten plagues that God inflicted upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery.
When Does Night Begin?
TALMUD
The term 'ḥoshekh' (darkness) in Genesis 1:5 is crucial for understanding when night begins according to Jewish law. The Gemara discusses the literal interpretation of 'darkness' and 'light' in Genesis 1:5, clarifying that 'ḥoshekh' means actual darkness.
The Watches of the Night
TOSEFTA
The division of the night into specific time units is crucial for understanding the timing of certain prayers and rituals in Jewish tradition. The Tosefta, a late 2nd-century compilation of Jewish oral law, discusses the debate over the number of watches in a night.
Why is This Night Different?
LITURGY
The night of Passover is filled with unique rituals that set it apart from all other nights. The 'Four Questions' in the Passover Haggadah highlight these distinctive practices, such as dipping twice, eating only matzah, consuming maror, and reclining while eating and drinking.
The Blessings of Ma’ariv
HALAKHAH
The blessings recited before and after the Shema during Ma’ariv (evening service) have a unique structure and significance, connecting deeply to themes from Psalms and differentiating from the morning blessings. Rabbi Eliezer Melamed’s contemporary work, Peninei Halakhah, provides a thorough and accessible explanation of these blessings, their spiritual foundations, and their differences between Ashkenazi and Sephardi practices.
When You Lie Down
GUIDES
The specific time period referred to as 'when you lie down' has significant halakhic implications for the recitation of the Shema and its blessings. The Babylonian Talmud, in Tractate Berakhot, provides a detailed discussion on the appropriate times for reciting the Shema, reflecting the importance of precise observance in Jewish daily life.
The Dawn of Darkness
COMMENTARY
The divine act of creation established the fundamental distinction between day and night. The Book of Genesis, the first book of the Torah, describes the creation of the world, including the separation of light from darkness.
Night Scene on the Volga, Alexei Kondratievich Savrasov, 1871
Night Scene on the Volga, Alexei Kondratievich Savrasov, 1871
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