An Old Saying
There is an old saying which sums up the Jew’s values and way of life: Takhlit Hayamim—Halaylot (the purpose of the days are the nights); Takhlit HaLaylot—Shabbatot (the purpose of the nights are the Sabbaths); Takhlit Shabbatot—Rosh Chodesh (the purpose of the Sabbaths is Rosh Chodesh); Takhlit Rosh Chodesh—Hamoadim (the Takhlit Hamoadim—Rosh Hashana purpose of Rosh Chodesh is the festivals); (the purpose of the festivals in Rosh Hashana); Takhlit Rosh Hashana—Yom Kippur (the purpose of Rosh Hashana is Yom Kippur); Takhlit Yom Kippur—teshuvah (the purpose of Yom Kippur is repentance; Takhlit Teshuvah-Olam Haba (the purpose of repentance is the Future World).
The saying is mentioned in Nehar Pishon, a book of sermons by Rabbi Yitzchoak Aboab, the “last Gaon of Castille.” Rabbi Aboab died in Portugal several months after the expulsion of the Jews from Spain. The sermons were copied by his disciples and published by his son Yaakov in Constantinople in the year 1538.
The book states that the saying occurs in the Talmudic tractate Yoma. It is not found in our editions of that tractate.
Rabbi Avraham Ben Shabbetai Halevi Horowitz, the father of Rabbi Yeshava Horowitz (author of Shnei Luchot Habrith—Shelah) devotes in his book Brith Avraham an entire chapter, stretching over several pages, to the elucidation of the above saying. According to Rabbi Abraham Horowitz, who makes no mention of Rabbi Yitzchak Aboab’s book the saying is a Midrash. Apparently it is not found in the Midrashim available to us.
Following is a short explanation of the saying, based on R. Avraham Horowitz’s elucidation.
The purpose of man is to study Torah, but during the day he must take care of his needs and cannot devote himself to study as much as he should. However at night he has time to study and teach. This is the meaning of: “The purpose of the days are the nights!” On the Sabbaths he has even more time for Torah. The festivals offer still greater opportunities for study. On these days rabbis and preachers explain to the people the significance and the laws of the holidays. This is meant by: “The purpose of the nights are the Sabbaths” and “the purpose of Rosh Chodesh is the festivals.” R. Avraham Horowitz explains that Rosh Chodesh was included in the saying—between the Sabbaths and festivals—because the fixing of our festivals depends on the appearance of the new moon.
Great is the study of Torah because it educates man to fear G-d and to obey His commandments. On Rosh Hashana man is arraigned in judgment and he stands trembling with fear before his Creator. Hence: “The purpose of (the days of ) study is Rosh Hashana.
Yom Kippur is the day of forgiveness and atonement. Without these, man cannot hope to be cleared in judgment. Hence: “The purpose of Rosh Hashana is Yom Kippur.” However, there can be no atonement and forgiveness without repentance. Ergo: “The purpose of Yom Kippur is repentance.” If we will do repentance, “we will be found worthy to live and to inherit the Future World.” Thus: “The purpose of repentance is the Future World!” This is the purpose of all purposes. The ultimate aim of man!
A saying somewhat similar in style was mentioned by Rabbi Meir Schiff (Maharam Schiff) in a discourse he delivered in Fulda in the year 1631 on the occasion of the completion of the study of tractate Bava Kamma and the beginning of the study of Kethubbot (the discourse is printed in his Chiddushei Halakhot and in the Vilna editons of Bava Kamma.) Stressing what our ancient sages said regarding the gravity of the sin of robbery, he quoted: “Come and see: Takhlit Hashana—yamim tovim (the purpose of the entire year are the festivals), Takhlit yamim tovim—Yom Kippur (the purpose of the festivals is Yom Kippur), Takhlit Yom Kippur—Neila (the purpose of Yom Kippur is the Neila prayer), and at Neila we pray “Lehatzil Me’oshek Yadeinu.” The reference is to the prayer “Ata Hivdalta Enosh MeRosh” in the Amida of Neila in which we say: “You have given us with love, O Lord, our G-d, this Day of Atonement to be an end, a forgiving and atonement for all our sins Lemaan Nechdal Me’oshek Yadeinu—so that we may stay our hand from violence (robbery, exploitation, etc.).”
By Tovia Preschel
Jewish Press
September 28, 1990