|
Consider: HaShem created and controls time.
This means:
The believer does not have to run under, nor after the clock. Believers redeem (evil) time.
Time works for the Child of G-d.
Basic explanation of Messianic Jewish Terminology of Time.
Welcome to an adventurous journey into the depth of our tradition as it refers to experiencing creation, life, existence, joy, love and G-d -ownedness in His Word.
As HaShem has created the other dimensions, He also created time and gave us breathtaking means to experience and enjoy it.
Have you ever seen the moon rise majestically and in perfect order, covered in most beautiful shades of orange and silver over the ocean beach dunes ?
Or have you sat for an hour and do nothing but praisefully watch the night-sky move ?
The perfection of G-d’s creation and His love for total detail are another pointer to the fact that His promises and His word are standing forever.
No reason ever for little faith, dear Chaverim and Chaverot :)
Far away from all legalism, we enjoy time as the children of our heavenly father, whom we are invited to call: ABBA.
We are not ‘under’ the time, but time works for us and with us !
Now let’s get into a happy discovery of our rich tradition with shitot-insights from the greatest time-explorers in Jewish history such as GR”A or Magen Avraham, and of course culminating in:
The Bible.
'Alot HaShachar = beginning of daytime. Generally described as the beginning of non-direct sunlight appearing on the Eastern Skies. The shift from night to day occurs as an immeasurable transition (safek). One cannot point the instant, but then there is illumination of the eastern sky. We cannot measure or control it: Every day is a gift from the L-rd to us.
How will you live that today ?
Mi-shey-yakir = "from the instant that can be noticed" earliest time to put on tallit and tefillin. We are not orthodox, so this info is for worship and Quiet Time purposes only. If you choose to incorporate Yiddish tradition into your Quiet Time with the L-rd, enjoy utilizing this info.
Tefillah is traditionally associated in the T’nakh, the oral law (mishnah and g’amrah) and the halacha with the amida or shmonah ‘esrey.
Tefillah is the direct and personal communication with the L-rd, the prayer time, or the quiet time. It mostly consists of: praise and worship, petitions, seeking the Lord and thanksgiving. It culminates often in even more praise.
Do not be of little faith: You do not need to make a ‘big show’ or reduce your time with outward rites and customs. You can pray by just ‘looking’ -in a split second entirely without words- and still you can joyfully and prayerfully lift the whole world up to HIM !
HaNetz HaChamah = sunrise; the first 'beam' of solar light over the mathematical horizon. The altitude of our calendar location is 1 meter (3.33ft) above MSL. Obstacles such as hills, buildings etc. are not considered. If you wish for more detail, go to the USNO web site.
Soph Zman Shema = ending of the Shema. If you choose to incorporate Yiddish tradition into your Quiet Time with the L-rd, utilize this info.
Chatzot HaYom = mid of day, measured as a mid point between Netz HaChamah and Shkiat HaChamah. The surrounding time-span is often referred to in the Word as Chom HaYom (heat of the day). Chatzot is not an astronomical determination (see: USNO website).
Minchot:
These times refer to the traditional tefillat minchah.
If you choose to incorporate Yiddish tradition into your Quiet Time with the L-rd, utilize this info. Associate these times for reflection: for example on the fretful day when Moshiach was crucified.
- Minchah G'dolah: follows 30 minutes (or Dakot Zmaniot) after
Chatzot HaYom he earliest time for tefillat minchah.
Allows for 5 1/2 Sha’ot Zmaniot until Shkiat Hachamah.
- Minchah Q'tanah: Time for tefillat minchah 2 1/2 Shaot Zmaniot
from Shkiat HaChamah or 9 1/2 Shaot Zmaniot after HaNetz
Hachamah beginning of day.
- Plag HaMincha: Splitting in two halves the Mincha Q'tanah.
Purpose is to accept and receive Shabbat early, to light Shabbat
candles or tefillat neilah on Yom Kippur.
Shkiat HaChamah = sunset or: end of last beam of solar light over the mathematical horizon.
Bein HaShmashot = the time of uncertainty between Shkiat HaChamah and Tzeit HaKochavim. According to tradition, a time of uncertainty. It is also called safek.
Since we know that we are G-d's Children and that He lives in us, we can actually celebrate this period of time and make it a time of family reflection or a family time of discovery of the medium stars (see below).
Tzeit HaKochavim = Time of the Stars. The moment that describes the fact that the stars have appeared. Best traditional figure here is the 24 minute shita derived by Baal Hatanya.
On a clear day discover three medium stars (planets do not count !).
Some count seven or even eleven medium stars; whatever you do, lift your spiritual eyes to the L-rd in joy and thankfulness and let the discovering be a family time of great joy and closeness to HaShem !
Tzeit Shabbat = (Ending) time of Shabbat. Count three small stars or add 4 minutes to Tzeit HaKochavim. Note: Sefardic Communities add 30 Dakot Zmaniot to Shkiat HaChamah (an extra 3 to 5 minutes).
Chatzot HaLayla = Midpoint of the night. Middle between Tzeit HaKochavim and 'Alot HaShachar.
Sha'ah Zmanit = proportional hour. Formula: Number of Real Daylight hours divided by 12 (according to GR''A).
Real Daylight hours are the hours without periods of safek: The time between HaNetz HaChamah and Shkiat HaChamah.
As you see, this number is NOT equal to the regular hour (sha'ah regilah).
It varies greatly depending on geographic location and season allowing for dramatic experiences of life in HaShem when traveling or when at home discovering with the kids !
Dakah Zmanit = proportional minute. Amount of Real Daylight Minutes per day divided by 12. (see above).
PLEASE NOTE:
Remember: all these shitot are derived in tradition and are NOT exact astronomical figures but exact reflections of faithful observance of G-d's glory in creation.
Also, very importantly, we look a these termini as pointers to a joyful way to freely and optionally celebrate creation.
Even though some recipients of this part of our Jewish tradition conceived more or less strict ways of legalism based on these observations and definitions, there is no legalism involved for us, at all :)
The believer does not have to run after the clock. Time works for the Child of G-d.
Look here for more interesting general info such as FASTS !
Ch”r C.
|
