author yuval noah hareri’s sapiens details humanity’s many revolutions including cognitive, agricultural and scientific. one significant development, however, was not afforded a revolutionary label. this development is referenced in the torah portion bo.
with the exodus emancipation, the children of israel’s initial commandment from the master of the universe is perhaps shocking. it was a directive to keep time.
historically, time keeping is not unique to the torah. egyptians, as well as other cultures throughout the world, devoted significant energy to accurately quantify time. the commandment’s primacy signifies time’s value.
in the torah portion bo, the children of israel were first commanded that “this month shall be to you the head of the months; to you it shall be the first of the months of the year.” contrary to popular belief, this commandment means far more than an excuse for a cemetery or a synagogue to send out a promotional calendar. what is so important to time versus other pressing moral or values related matters? should it have concerned freedom, protections from socially aberrant conduct, sanctifying the sabbath, or addressing the needs of the poor?
calendaring two-fold impact changed humanity. it allowed for greater ability for large social groups to organize. likewise, it promoted scientific discovery. calendars allow for efficiency in commerce, education, religious practice, schools, agriculture, scientific research and governance. [what would the united states have been without the celebration of national donut day- june 2023?]
humanity’s ability to discovery time must be considered one of its greatest accomplishments. this discovery did not come from earth, rather it was a discovered via observing the universe and galaxies. looking up into the sky, the sun, the moon, the planets, and the stars provided the data that humans employed to establish time; years, seasons, months, and days are the units we hold dear. humanity, long ago, understood that the heavens played a role as to the happenings on earth. fascinating ancient landmarks-such as stonehenge- were built to capture time. the earth’s year long journey around the sun allowed for impactful planning.
from this first commandment, we both appreciate both the value of organization and that our worldly understandings are connected to the universe and beyond. this look to the heavens certainly played impetus towards exploring the galaxies and their origins. this commandments was certainly wisdom from the master who was present at the very beginning.
be well!!
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