It's not just about being punctual. Sometimes, it's about making a statement, about proving a point. And in Jewish tradition, the idea of doing things in broad daylight, for all to see, carries a special weight.
Think about the Exodus from Egypt. We all know the story: the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea. But did you ever consider when it all happened? The Zohar, that mystical text, tells us the Israelites left Egypt at noon, in the full glare of the sun. Why?
Well, imagine if they'd slipped away under the cover of darkness. The Egyptians could have easily dismissed it. "Oh, they ran away when we weren't looking," they might have said. "Had we known, we would have stopped them!"
But God wasn't having that. "I shall lead out Israel at noon," He declared, according to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews. "Let him who wishes to prevent it try to do so." It wasn't just about freedom; it was about demonstrating power, about showing that nothing could stand in the way of divine will. It was a challenge to the entire Egyptian nation.
And it’s not just the Exodus. There's another story where timing plays a similar role: Noah and the ark.
According to Midrash Rabbah, God instructed Noah to enter the ark at midday. Now, you might be thinking, "What difference does it make? A flood's a flood, right?" But hold on.
God knew human nature. He knew that if Noah snuck into the ark at night, his generation – the ones who were about to be swept away by the flood – would have claimed foul. "He did it in secret!" they would have cried. "We didn't even see him! If we had, we would have smashed that ark to pieces!"
So, God said, "I wish him to enter the ark at the noon hour. Let him who wishes to prevent it try to do so." Again, it’s a defiant act, a public declaration that the divine plan will proceed, regardless of opposition. Imagine the scene: Noah, building that massive ark, and then entering it under the noonday sun.
Both of these stories, the Exodus and Noah’s Ark, use the same language. The idea of daring anyone to try and prevent the unfolding of a divine plan. It suggests that true faith isn’t just about believing in something, but about acting boldly, openly, and without fear.
So, what does this all mean for us? Perhaps it’s a reminder to be bold in our own lives. To stand up for what we believe in, even when it's difficult, even when others might try to stop us. And maybe, just maybe, to do it all in the light of day.