Timing, timing, timing

The reason why the Talmud’s first question (about the timing of saying the Shema) is when, is because one never knows when a word, a work, an encounter or an experience is going to enter and establish residence in the inner life of an individual.  Central to the Talmud’s opening word for when, Ma’aimatai, is the aima, the reverent wonder than opens us up to connections with God’s content and causes.