שבת Date: 9 Sivan, 5774 (6/7/14) – RoshHashana#30 {Tani}

Order in the Court

[30b top] Mishna: Originally, the Beis Din (court) accepted testimony of the new moon all day. One time the witnesses were delayed in coming and the Leviim went awry in their singing the daily hymn. The sages then instituted to accept witnesses only until Mincha (afternoon services) [and after mincha both that day and the following would be classified as holy; Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai instituted to accept new month testimony all day].

T’s Lesson: We see how powerful and important routine and order is in a day. Since the routine of witnesses coming was broken, the Leviim got all confused as to what to do and order had to be restored with a new enactment. We too should try to stick to our own order of davening and learning as there is what to stay for having a routine. Hashem asks us and wants us to beseech him three times a day and at specific times. When the order is broken, we lose our routine and our full connection with Hashem. So too if we miss learning in one day, the day is missing an element. We should strive to stick to our schedules to restore order and routine for our best mitzvah performance possible.