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Time is a concept that appears from the very beginning of the Torah, as the world's creation unfolds over seven days, each of which is divided into evening and morning. Sources throughout the Jewish textual tradition discuss how God and people sanctify time, different ways of relating to the passing of time, how time governs the performance of commandments, and how to make the most of one's time.
Notable Sources
All Sources
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The Divine Orchestration of Time
TANAKH
The establishment of time through the creation of the heavenly bodies highlights the divine orchestration of time from the very beginning. The fourth day of creation in Genesis describes how God created the sun, moon, and stars to serve as markers for days, years, and set times.
Stages of Life in Pirkei Avot
MISHNAH
Pirkei Avot outlines the stages of a person's development, detailing specific ages and the corresponding milestones or responsibilities associated with each stage. This tractate of the Mishnah, known as Ethics of the Fathers, offers ethical teachings and maxims of the rabbis, traditionally studied on Shabbat afternoons in the summer.
Eternal Time vs. Human Fleetingness
TANAKH
The fleeting nature of human life stands in stark contrast to God's eternal perspective on time. Psalm 90, attributed to Moses, reflects on the brevity of human life and the enduring nature of God, urging us to make the most of our limited time.
The Master of Time
LITURGY
God is acknowledged as the ultimate arranger and controller of time, demonstrating God's wisdom in the natural order. This prayer, recited during the evening prayer service, is the first blessing before the Shema, focusing on God's role in the transition from day to night.
Love's Distortion of Time
TANAKH
Love can make long periods of time feel short. The Torah recounts how Jacob's deep love for Rachel made seven years of service feel like only a few days.
The Non-Chronological Torah
COMMENTARY
Some maintain that the Torah does not follow a strict chronological order, which means that understanding its arrangement requires more than just reading it sequentially. Rashi, the renowned 11th-century biblical and talmudic commentator, explains this concept.
The Mystical Structure of Time
KABBALAH
The mystical structure of time is divided into seven parts, each linked to different divine attributes. In his 16th-century kabbalistic work, Rabbi Moses Cordovero explains how time is organized according to the sefirot, with each division powered by the attribute of understanding (binah).
Experiencing Time
JEWISH THOUGHT
Time can be experienced differently by individuals and cultures, possessing infinite dimensions and possibilities. Rav Shagar’s 21st-century reflections on Rosh Hashanah explore the infinite dimensions of time, shaped by human consciousness and spiritual significance.
Covenantal Time
COMMENTARY
The Jewish concept of 'covenantal time' offers a unique perspective on time, emphasizing an ongoing, open-ended narrative with the possibility of repentance and redemption. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explores this idea in his essay on the portion Vayechi, highlighting the continuous partnership between humans and God in shaping the future.
The Harmony of Time and Virtue
SECOND TEMPLE
Philo of Alexandria offers a profound symbolic and philosophical interpretation of natural cycles and seasons, relating them to virtues, wisdom, and the relationship between the body, mind, and God. Philo's ancient teaching reflects the Jewish belief in divine order and the natural world's stability, emphasizing God's covenant with humanity and the earth.
Festivals of Joy and Gratitude
COMMENTARY
The three major Jewish festivals are not only historical and agricultural milestones but also times to direct joy towards the Heavens. Rabbi Yosef Bekhor Shor, a 12th-century tosafist, explains the significance of Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot, emphasizing their dual nature and the importance of divine joy.
The Sanctity of Shabbat
CHASIDUT
Shabbat is uniquely sanctified in time, just as the Temple is in space and the souls of Israel are among peoples. In the Chasidic work Mei HaShiloach, Rabbi Mordechai Leiner draws an analogy between these three elements to illustrate the complete revelation of God's presence.
The Stages of Time in Kabbalah
KABBALAH
The kabbalistic perspective offers a profound and mystical understanding of the grand stages of time, from our current world to the ultimate, eternal state. Rabbi Aryeh Leib Lifkin’s late 19th-century work explores the cosmic and spiritual evolution through the messianic era and beyond.
God Beyond Time and Space
JEWISH THOUGHT
God's immaterial nature places God outside the conditions of time and motion that apply to material bodies. Maimonides, in his 12th-century philosophical work, explores the relationship between God and time, arguing that God exists beyond the constraints of time and space.
The Decline of Generations
JEWISH THOUGHT
The idea of 'yeridat hadorot' suggests that each generation is further removed from the original divine wisdom and prophecy, leading to a decline in human greatness. Rabbenu Nissim of Gerona, in his 14th-century work Derashot HaRan, explores this concept using rabbinic sources to illustrate the progressive decline from the time of Moses.
The Divine Gift of Time
MUSAR
Time is not just a measure of moments but a divine gift, each particle of which is an extension of God's eternity. In his 17th-century work, Shenei Luchot HaBerit, Rabbi Isaiah HaLevi Horowitz delves into the mystical significance of time, urging us to view it as a precious opportunity for divine service.
When Time Stood Still
TANAKH
Joshua's command to the sun and moon to stand still is a unique instance of divine intervention in the natural order of time. The book of Joshua recounts this miraculous event, showcasing God's direct response to Joshua's plea during a critical battle.
Painting of A Jewish Man, Yuri Pen. 1924 Poland
Painting of A Jewish Man, Yuri Pen. 1924 Poland
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