Are We Trapped by Time? The human spirit seeks freedom, and modern society and technology allow for unprecedented freedom; freedom to travel, to access information, to broadcast one’s opinions, and so much more. Yet, despite all of our advances, we are still trapped by the inescapable constraint of the passage of time. There is nothing we can do to turn the clock back or to slow the passage of time. While we cannot control the passage of time, freedom is about taking responsibility for using our time properly, in a way that is meaningful and productive. Indeed, the very first commandment to the Jewish people was to establish a calendar. Establishing a calendar is the first step of freedom; it's when people cease to be slaves, whose time is controlled by others, embracing the gift and responsibility of freedom, deliberately using time consistent with the person’s inner values. The commandment to establish the lunar calendar is referred to as the commandment to “sanctify the month”. The new month would begin when two witnesses would testify that they saw the new moon, and the court would declare the new month sanctified, as the Mishnah describes: {After the witnesses have been examined and their testimony accepted} the head of the court says: It is sanctified. And all the people respond after him: It is sanctified; it is sanctified. (Mishnah, Rosh Hashana 2:7) The term sanctifying the month teaches Judaism’s radical idea about time: we can indeed escape the trappings of time. For while time is fleeting, defined by past, present, and future, we can use a moment of time, that is itself defined, and sanctify it, using it to experience holiness which transcends time. While any experience is temporary, the spiritual achievement and connection created in that fleeting moment are eternal. The very first commandment to our people reminds us not to be slaves to the passage of time, but rather to take control of our time, our most important possession, and ultimately to sanctify it, breaking free of its trappings and touching the eternal.
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