Time is an important aspect of life in Israel. The country is located in the Eastern European Time Zone, which is two hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+2). However, Israel also observes Daylight Saving Time (DST), which means that during the summer months, the country is three hours ahead of UTC (UTC+3).
History of Time in Israel
The concept of timekeeping has been around for thousands of years, and Israel is no exception. In ancient times, the Jewish people used a lunar calendar to keep track of time. This calendar was based on the cycles of the moon, and each month began with the sighting of the new moon. However, this system was not very accurate, and over time, the Jewish people began to use a solar calendar instead.
During the Ottoman Empire, which ruled over Israel from the 16th century until the end of World War I, the country used the Turkish time system. This system was based on the Islamic calendar, which is also a lunar calendar. However, when the British Mandate took over in 1917, they introduced the Gregorian calendar, which is a solar calendar. This calendar is still used in Israel today.
Daylight Saving Time
Israel first introduced Daylight Saving Time in 1948, shortly after the country was established. However, the system has been changed several times over the years. In 2013, the Israeli government decided to extend DST by two weeks, so that it would begin on the Friday before the last Sunday in March and end on the last Sunday in October. This change was made in order to align Israel’s DST schedule with that of the European Union.
However, in 2018, the Israeli government decided to cancel DST altogether. The decision was made after a study showed that the energy savings from DST were minimal, and that the system caused more harm than good. Many Israelis were unhappy with the decision, as they felt that DST was an important part of their daily lives.
Timekeeping in Jewish Tradition
Timekeeping is also an important part of Jewish tradition. The Jewish day begins at sunset, and each day is divided into 24 hours. The hours are further divided into minutes and seconds, and each moment is considered to be sacred. In fact, the Jewish calendar is based on the idea that time is a gift from God, and that each moment should be used wisely.
One of the most important Jewish holidays is Shabbat, which begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday. During this time, Jews are not allowed to work or engage in any kind of commerce. Instead, they are encouraged to spend time with their families and to reflect on the meaning of life.
Conclusion
Time is an important aspect of life in Israel, both in terms of practical timekeeping and in terms of Jewish tradition. The country has a rich history of timekeeping, and has gone through several changes over the years. Today, Israel observes Daylight Saving Time, although this system has been the subject of much debate in recent years. Regardless of the system in place, however, time remains an important part of Israeli culture and daily life.
