Last Day…
It’s the last day of Zman. It is also a Thursday. So when I drag my normally exhausted Thursday self out of bed not only do I get to look forward to the soon commencement of Shabbat, but the knowledge that for three weeks, my load will be lighter.
There is no true “Bein HaZmanim” at a Yeshiva HaMekubalim. We learn straight through the year. However, there is a reduced learning schedule. Mostly because the majority of Averiechim simply will not show up in any case. So we go down to learning in one, slightly extended, seder from the three normal sedarim.
I know I shouldn’t necessarily feel happy about the break, after all we are supposed to take joy from learning Torah, but I am, guiltily a little happy about it. I am happy that I am going to get more time with my kids. I am happy that I will have a bit of a breather to prepare shiurim for the coming Elul Zman. I am happy that I would have to fit my writing(safrut) in here and there between the sedarim and can actually whip out some ultra-mehadrin mezzuzot. Did I mention that I am happy that I am going to get to spend more time with my kids?
The kids are really what does it for me. I know that even if I were working a 9-5 in the US I wouldn’t see them any more, and possibly less, then I do now. However it still pains my heart to watch the years slip by. My son is coming up on his second birthday(didn’t I just do his brit yesterday?) and my oldest on her fifth(wasn’t that crazy first birth, just a few weeks ago?). It is the curse of fatherhood that we miss so many of the “firsts.” First step, first word, first… well you get the idea.
So for three weeks I am planning on spending and enjoying everyone of their waking moments with them.
