The Halachic meaning of twilight
The Halachic meaning of twilight is the time between sunset and nightfall. Day and night are opposites, yet this period can connect them. One must be on a level greater than both to connect two opposites. "Day" and "night" are the most significant expressions of nature. We can see this from the Torah's description of Creation, "And it was evening, and it was morning, one day."
In our Mishnah, the meaning of twilight is far greater. Here we are talking about the twilight of Friday. It does not merely connect day and night; it connects the six weekdays, meaning the act of Creation and Shabbos, that which transcends Creation. From this, we can see it is a time totally above nature. Therefore, it was the time Hashem created those items that transcended Creation.
We are impatiently waiting for and working toward the days of Moshiach. This is a time that will be a constant Shabbos; we will always be permeated with a light beyond nature's limitations. May we reach that time now!
(Adapted from the Sichah of Shabbos Parshas Behar-Bechukosai, 5723)
I hope you gained as much by reading this as I did by translating and adapting it.
Click here to dedicate a week, a month, or a year to the Rashi of the Week.
You can find us on the web at www.RebbeTeachesRashi.org.
5. Parshas Bereishis, Bereishis 1:4.
