אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: אֵין תְּקוּפַת נִיסָן נוֹפֶלֶת אֶלָּא בְּאַרְבָּעָה רִבְעֵי הַיּוֹם, אוֹ בִּתְחִלַּת הַיּוֹם אוֹ בִּתְחִלַּת הַלַּיְלָה, אוֹ בַּחֲצִי הַיּוֹם אוֹ בַּחֲצִי הַלַּיְלָה.

On the topic of the previous discussion with regard to calculating the directions of the world based upon the seasons, Shmuel said: The vernal equinox occurs only at the beginning of one of the four quarters of a day: Either precisely at the beginning of the day, or precisely at the beginning of the night, or at midday, or at midnight.

We must ask ourselves, what is the meaning of the seasons? If you don’t believe in a guiding Creator you can just say, “ok, the Earth is on a tilted axis and that makes the Seasons.” But when you believe in a Creator, such scientific truths only explain the “what”, not the “why”. What are we supposed to learn from the idea of different seasons? Furthermore, everything in the world operates in cycles: Day to Night, the Moon waxing and waning, being young and growing old, the solar year that is 365.24 days, sleep and awake. What do all of these cycles mean?

Such patterns in nature indicate the importance of cycles in the physical world.  One of the disservices of industrialized life is dissociation from natural cycles.  We no longer follow natural days, waking at dawn and sleeping at night, instead we follow the clock.  Even then we use devices to keep us distracted and awake.  Is it any wonder so many people have sleep disorders, ADHD and even general anxiety?  Take a child or a baby outside and let them feel and smell the fresh grass and blue sky, and they become visibly happier and calmer.  Our souls and our bodies are designed to follow cycles and rhythms.  Most of the Jewish holidays correspond to agricultural seasons as well as the full moon.  These were natural times of happiness and revelry when there where harvests or plantings, and more light at night.  You might wonder, why does it matter?

Asking why this matters is as foolish as asking why love or hugs matter.  It is a human process that is deeply important and non-rational.  In matters because we are designed for some reason to thrive when we are in tune with it.  Additionally, if you really need an intellectual explanation, I suggest that there is wisdom in accepting the cyclical nature of physical life.  Unlike G-d, we live and we die.  We sin and we repent.  We fail and we succeed.  It is important to know such truths deep in one’s bones so that we can accept what is and make the most of it.

for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Eruvin 56

Translations Courtesy of Sefaria