The Klop

I was so excited when I awoke that morning, pumped to do my chesed project nice and early.

It was Rosh Chodesh, and I knew the regular chiyuvim (mourners) who generally lead the davening were excluded from doing so because of Rosh Chodesh. Therefore, I was determined to be at the minyan well before the six  a.m. starting time. I wanted to ensure the minyan would start on time as I knew those who attended that minyan had places to go, people to meet, and buses and trains to catch. [Note: Yes, there still are those who go in to work and don’t work virtually from home in their PJs.] I also knew that since it was Rosh Chodesh and the aveilim were not going to start on time, the minyan might be delayed.

As I entered the shul, I saw another fellow leaving from the vasikin minyan, which began at 5:01. I thought it strange that the vasikin minyan on Rosh Chodesh was over by 5:50 but I figured this one fellow had just left the minyan early. No doubt he had a valid excuse for leaving before the end of davening.

I arrived in the beis medrash at 5:56 and quickly approached the amud to make sure davening began at six on the dot.