How a Jew Should Use the Choice Morning Hours to Better Serve G-d

As we read in this week's Torah portion, Korach, the kohanim (priests) were to be given only the finest of all the offerings that were brought by the Jewish people. These contributions consisted of all kinds of commodities and were of the highest quality. Likewise, every Jew must dedicate the better part of himself to his Divine service.

Maimonides writes: "The law, as it pertains to everything that is for the sake of G-d, is that it must come from the finest and the best. For example, when one is feeding a hungry person, he should be served the tastiest and sweetest food on one's table. When one clothes a poor man, he should be given the nicest garment. When one builds a house of prayer, the edifice should be more beautiful than one's private abode, as it states, 'All the best to the L-rd.'"

Dedicating One’s Finest and Best to Matters of Holiness

Of all the commodities a person possesses --- food, clothing and shelter --- the finest and best must be dedicated to matters of holiness. There is, however, another commodity to be dedicated to G-d, and that is time. Time is extremely precious; it is therefore fitting that in addition to one's material blessings, a person dedicates the very best portion of the day to G-d.

The Advantage of Time in the Morning

The morning, the beginning of one's day, is the optimal time of the 24-hour period. In the morning, a person's mind is at ease. He is not yet concerned or perturbed by problems that may plague him later. Thus the morning is the most appropriate time of day to dedicate oneself to holy matters.

The Previous Rebbe explained the verse "From the first of your dough...you shall give an offering to G-d" in the following manner: The Hebrew word for dough, "arisa," also means a cradle or bed. From this we learn that as soon as a person wakes up in the morning he is to give an "offering" to G-d --- an offering consisting of the first and finest portion of the day.

One way to do this is to thank G-d immediately upon arising by declaring "Modeh Ani," thanking Him for having restored our souls. Another way is to reserve the first few hours of the day for prayer and Torah study. In schools where secular subjects are taught, students should study them only in the afternoon, the second half of the day. The morning, the best time of all, is to be utilized for praying and learning Torah.

Reserving Our Best for G-d

Just as the contributions that were made to the priests were of the highest quality, so too must the very best of whatever we possess be reserved for our service of G-d. For it is in this manner that we merit the fulfillment of the Priestly Blessing, "May the L-rd bless you and guard you."