Shmirat HaZman (Guarding Time): Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| (4 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
== In the Sources == | == In the Sources == | ||
The demand to guard time is based on the verse: "Days were formed and one of them is His", which means that every Jew has an exact number of days given to him to live, according to the mission placed upon his soul to accomplish in this world. If he loses even a single moment – he diminishes the overall task placed upon him, since a moment that is lost does not return. | The demand to guard time is based on the verse: "Days were formed and one of them is His<ref>Tehillim: 139:16</ref>", which means that every Jew has an exact number of days given to him to live, according to the mission placed upon his soul to accomplish in this world<ref>The Tzedek's commentary on the verse (Yahel Or)</ref>. If he loses even a single moment – he diminishes the overall task placed upon him, since a moment that is lost does not return. | ||
In Pirkei Avot, Chazal instruct us not to postpone things for another time: "Do not say 'When I am free I will study' – perhaps you will never be free," and "If not now, when?!" | In Pirkei Avot, Chazal instruct us not to postpone things for another time: "Do not say 'When I am free I will study' – perhaps you will never be free," and "If not now, when?!" | ||
The great early sages expressed this concept in the saying: "A person worries about losing his money, but does not worry about losing his days. His money does not help and his days do not return". | The great early sages expressed this concept in the saying: "A person worries about losing his money, but does not worry about losing his days. His money does not help and his days do not return"<ref>Sefer HaChaim by the Maharal's brother</ref>. | ||
This guidance is not merely good conduct, but is also ruled as halacha that when a person has utilized all his time for learning, and during the day had only one moment of idleness – this is considered a severe transgression of bitul Torah, and Chazal applied to him the verse "For he has despised the word of Hashem... that soul shall be cut off". | This guidance is not merely good conduct, but is also ruled as halacha that when a person has utilized all his time for learning, and during the day had only one moment of idleness – this is considered a severe transgression of bitul Torah, and Chazal applied to him the verse "For he has despised the word of Hashem... that soul shall be cut off". | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
==== Importance of Guarding Time ==== | ==== 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". | 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 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". | ||
| Line 62: | Line 62: | ||
In 5717 (1957), the Rebbe visited Gan Israel camp in an exceptional case, and when the Rebbe was asked the following year to make another visit, he declined, explaining that he had still not made up for the time he missed during the previous visit. | In 5717 (1957), the Rebbe visited Gan Israel camp in an exceptional case, and when the Rebbe was asked the following year to make another visit, he declined, explaining that he had still not made up for the time he missed during the previous visit. | ||
In an unusual expression, the Rebbe spoke about himself: "Don't waste my time. I have no extra time." | In an unusual expression, the Rebbe spoke about himself: "Don't waste my time. I have no extra time.<ref>'''Tzaddik LaMelech Booklet 7, Page 257''' From a ''yechidut'' (private audience) from the year 5719</ref>" | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* [[Pnimi]] | |||
* Pnimi | * [[Keeping the Schedules]] | ||
* Keeping the Schedules | * [[Idle Talk]] | ||
* Idle Talk | |||
== Further Reading == | == Further Reading == | ||
* Askila B'derech Tamim - Chapter Five | |||
== References == | |||
[[he:שמירת הזמן]] | |||
<references /> | |||
[[Category:Fundamental Concepts]] | |||
[[Category:Concepts in Judaism]] | |||