Before and after we recite the Sh’ma, we reflect on the three greatest manifestations of G-d’s power: creation, revelation, and redemption. The first blessing before the Sh’ma deals with G-d as creator, but in a very specific way. The text, both morning and evening, centers on time. The evening (maariv) blessing refers to G-d Who “opens the gates of dawn with wisdom, change[s] the day’s divisions with understanding, set[s] the succession of seasons and arrange[s] the stars…”. The morning blessing continues this theme, but also invokes the angels who sing G-d’s praise for (literally) the sun, the moon, and the stars.
Why, we must ask ourselves, do these blessings about creation virtually ignore all the other wonderful things that G-d has created (Concord grapes, barbeque potato chips, baseball, a cold beer on a hot day, oh and the Grand Canyon too) and focus in on the astronomical universe?
Partially, of course, because it is, well, astronomical. A sun too powerful to be looked at; a moon that magically changes on a regular basis, waxing and waning, and occasionally turning red during an eclipse; and the stars which covered the sky of ancient Israel, unhampered by today’s ubiquitous light pollution. [Just to give you an idea: In the city, you can see about 10 stars. In the suburbs, about 200-300. In ancient Israel, 2500 (!)—a nightly light show that could rival Disneyworld fireworks].
But there is a deeper reason. It is with reference to the astronomical world that we can tell time, and in a religion that involves shabbat and holidays and daily prayers at set times, the ability to tell time is absolutely essential. Human history underscores for us that this is no easy task. It wasn’t until the 13th century that a mechanical clock was invented. It wasn’t until the 18th century that anyone invented a clock that could count seconds while at sea—an ability so important that the British government was willing to pay the equivalent of $5 million for the device [you need it to determine longitude—don’t ask—which was essential for accurate navigation]. And coming up with a perennial calendar that worked was so difficult that the Julian calendar had to give way to the Gregorian calendar, with the resulting “loss” of 11 days—which triggered riots all over England from people who wanted their stolen days back [yes, people have been that stupid all through the ages—it’s not only today].
And that leads us to an even deeper point. What is the purpose of creation? If this opening berachah were the only evidence we had, we would have to assume that the purpose of creation was to guide us in the timely service of G-d. And we wouldn’t be far off. As the Psalmist prays, “teach us to number our days, so that we may obtain a heart of wisdom.” (Ps 90:12)