Rabbi’s Corner – A Matter of Time Edition

Dear Friends,
With the moving of the clock last Saturday Night, we are now in the official “early Shabbat” season, typified by frantically getting Shabbat ready with limited time. But finishing cooking and cleaning is only one the most obvious of the halakhic considerations. Today I’d like to discuss some of these as they relate to our davening schedule.

First, our Friday Night services are an hour earlier than last week in accordance with Shabbat starting earlier. Furthermore, the times for which we are supposed to recite the Shema and say the Amida are also an hour earlier in accordance with fewer daylight hours.

Living a Jewish life often means living in what we call “sacred time.” We are familiar with the holidays and Shabbat, but in reality Judaism views all time as sacred as evidenced by the laws requiring what we must do and when.

During this season I personally ask everyone to make a special effort to attend shul punctually and be mindful of observing the rules of sacred time in our sacred space.

Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Josh Yuter