Time and timing

Rabbi Siggy Suchard

Beit Midrash Hagadol, Sandton

A fellow who loved cricket asked his rabbi if there was cricket in heaven. This went on for some weeks until the rabbi called him over: “Chaim, I had a vision, there is post-op cricket in heaven but there is also difficult news – you are opening up the batting!”

A successful but workaholic businessman was put in quarantine because his son contacted swine flu. The man refused to listen to his doctor as he had board meetings and trips overseas. The doctor called in the government authorities who forced the fellow to stay home.

At the end of two weeks the doctor anxiously awaited abusive letter from the Internet. To his surprise the businessman explained that he never realised how enjoyable it was to spend time with his wife and children; how comfortable his home was, and that he now would not spend 12 hours in his office.

The Torah teaches us that one may not have false weights to do business with. One may not purchase goods with a five pound weight and sell them with a hollow five pound weight, cheating the customers. 

“A perfect and just weight you shall have. A perfect and just measure you shall have, in order that your days be lengthened on the land which G-d gives you.” (Devarim 25:15)

If a person amasses wealth incorrectly and hastily, he will not have longevity. Rather, one must be honest and earn one’s keep over a long period.

It is also interesting to note the mitzvah of a newly-wed groom who is free from going to the army. He has a mitzvah to make his wife happy. For an entire year this particular law applies and it is a lesson for the entire marriage for each spouse to make time for each other.

When we live correctly, Hashem will give us length of days and true happiness.

In the book of Kohelet we are taught by King Solomon an approach to life so different from the general worldly approach. In our contemporary society, people strive on the road to success, this culmination being a pot of gold. That life is a straight road, until one retires wealthy. 

King Solomon teaches us that there is a time for all things. “A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot. A time to kill and time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build.” (Kohelet 3:2, 3)

Life is a cycle and we must make full use of the different times. Keeping mitzvoth is an integral part of the cycle of life and we must make time to learn Torah. In this way every day of our lives will be balanced to enjoy the gifts Hashem gives us.