A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov on Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
Parshas Bo
A Good Time
Parshas Bo heralds the birth of Klal Yisrael as the Am Segulah. So profound are the events contained therein that they define our destiny as banim la’Makom till today. Most importantly, one detail in the Parsha is so fundamental that it singularly defines the spiritual mission of every Jew. Surprisingly; our tachlis Hachayim is not defined by the climactic conclusion of the eser makkos, the korban Pesach or even our physical exodus from Mitzrayim. Rather the essence of Klal Yisrael is wrapped in the ribbon of the very first Mitzvah gifted to us by Hashem Yisborach; the mitzvah of Kiddush Hachodesh.
The Torah teaches us, Hachodesh hazeh lachem. This posuk Rashi points out, in the very first verse of sefer Breishis, is where the Torah should begin, shehi mitzvah rishona shenitztavu Yisrael. Essentially, the Torah commences right here with Kiddush Hachodesh, a gift which is lachem, exclusively Klal Yisrael’s Why? And how does it define us l’olmei olamim.
Kiddush Hachodesh, our first national mitzvah is much more than the complex formulae to be used in calculating the lunar cycle. It is about time and our unique relationship to it. It is about Kiddushas Hazman and the ability of the basor v’dam to define it in this world and the next. Empowered by the Ribbono Shel Olam, as we are, to control time, even the malachei hashareis must consult with B’nei Yisrael to know when the Yomim Tovim are scheduled!, We are charged to create moadim. Indeed, Lakol zman va’eis, we can create an eis la’ssos for every opportunity. It is an amazing task that only a Yid can do. This is the Torah paradigm for zman – so lovingly placed in our hands as our first mitzvah. It is for us to give meaning and reality to each and every tick of the clock.
Mikadeish Yisrael v’hazmanim, Kiddush Hachodesh is the very first national mitzvah and kedushas hazman is our national tachlis. Even before the actual geulas Mitzrayim, Hashem Yisborach is teaching us that it is up to us make each moment count. The gift of freedom is not for every individual to do what he wants when he wants. That is anarchy. Instead, time is life. And cheirus is the opportunity to use time well, to find in it a purpose and fill life with meaning.
Given the power of time and our responsibility to use it wisely it is no wonder that our national destiny begins with this very mitzvah. Its message is more critical today than ever. What do we do with our time? How much do we learn? Do we make time for our families? Are we giving time back to the klal? How do we leisure? Do we invest time, find it, waste it or r”l try and kill it. It is, after all, our most precious resource and our most unique gift.
For Klal Yisrael, the ongoing epoch which began with Yitzias Mitzrayim and Matan Toarah and continues with our kiyum hamitzvos and limud Hatorah still today, is all about time. Let us be devoted to using it well.
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