Editing Shmirat HaZman (Guarding Time) (section)

== In the Teachings of Our Rebbeim ==

==== Importance of Guarding Time ====
When they told [[the Rebbe Rashab]] that the Chassidim of the Alter Rebbe were always 'counting' time, he responded: "This is the essence of avodah, the hours are counted – and then the days are also counted. When a day passes, one should know what was accomplished on that day and what needs to be accomplished in the future". Elsewhere he expressed it more strongly, saying that when a person does not guard time, he "causes harm to his soul".

The Rebbe also explained the importance and necessity of guarding time: "This is something visibly apparent, every moment that passes is already lost if it was not utilized for what it could and should have been used for – it is lost. Even if the matter will be done in the next moment or tomorrow or the day after, nevertheless, that moment that was not utilized remains wasted. It was a moment in which he did not live his life as it should have been".

==== The Virtue of Guarding Time ====
[[The Rebbe Rayatz]] writes that "For one who guards time – a moment is time, and a day is a year", and also that "Diligence and guarding time – these are the true vessels for success in learning", and "Guard the time – for it is the most precious virtue".

The Rebbe connected guarding time with the mitzvah of counting the Omer, for which we make a blessing on each day separately, even though seemingly there is no need to count something that is fixed in advance and cannot be increased or decreased. The counting demonstrates the preciousness of time, that we need to count and value and appreciate it and utilize it properly.

==== The Way to Guard Time ====
During one of the Rebbe Rashab's private audiences with his father, [[The Rebbe Maharash|the Rebbe Maharash,]] his father told him: "When a moment is time – time passes successfully. The success of time comes through guarding time, and guarding time comes through guarding moments, and guarding moments comes through deliberateness".

The Rebbe Rashab related about himself that his success in learning and conduct stemmed from making himself a "master of time," doing everything specifically in its proper time.

When a yeshiva student asked the Rebbe for advice on guarding time, the Rebbe wrote to him that he should memorize the entire first section of Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim siman א, and review it from time to time, and also be proficient in at least one chapter of Tanya by heart.

==== On Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat Kodesh ====
Although on weekdays a person must also engage in earning a livelihood and the like, and cannot guard time to the utmost to utilize it only for matters of divine service, on Shabbat the obligation to guard time is doubled and redoubled. One must dedicate it completely to studying Chassidut, and avoid wasting Shabbat on idle matters, walks, and the like.

The Chassidim of the Mitteler Rebbe used to interpret the verse: "Guard the Sabbath day to sanctify it," that when one properly guards the time of the holy Shabbat, then "Remember the Sabbath day" is also fulfilled throughout the week, meaning that it will influence the weekdays to be properly utilized.

The Rebbe Rayatz stated that when one wastes the time of Raava D'Raavin (the most favorable time near the end of Shabbat), it is "rebellion against Atzmut (Essence)".

Special emphasis on guarding time is placed on the days of Rosh Hashanah, during which the main service is accepting Hashem's kingship. When a Jew feels the yoke of the King, he does not waste even a moment in idleness. For this reason, our Rebbeim were careful on Rosh Hashanah to completely avoid conversations and talks even with close family members, and devoted themselves to reciting Tehillim in every free moment, and they instructed Chassidim to do the same.