In the past, every city had a clock mounted high on a tower, visible from afar. Why were these clocks placed so high? R' Yitzchak Hutner explained that if the city clock were easily accessible, someone might alter its time to match their own watch. By placing the clock out of reach, the townspeople had no choice but to adjust their watches to it, ensuring a unified standard time for the entire city.
This concept also applies to a Rav whose seat is high, prominently at the front. His remoteness is sometimes essential. The congregation must “set their clocks” to his time. A Rav must remain steadfast, unmoved by the shifting demands or influences of others.
Rabbi Alt merited to learn under the tutelage of R’ Mordechai Friedlander ztz”l for close to five years and received semichah from R’ Zalman Nechemia Goldberg ztz”l. Rabbi Alt has written close to 2,000 articles on numerous topics for various websites and publications and is the author of nine books including the recently released “Exhilarating Torah Insights on Recreation and Vacation.” His writings, many of which have been translated into Yiddish, Hebrew, German and French, inspire people across the spectrum of Jewish observance to live with the vibrancy and beauty of Torah. His shiurim can be found on various websites including Kol Halashon’s. Rabbi Alt lives with his wife and family in Kiryat Yearim (where the Aron was for 20 years [Shmuel 1, 7:1,2]) where he studies, lectures, writes and teaches. The author is passionate about teaching Jews of all levels of observance.
