When we discuss the legacy of World War I we usually focus on its negative consequences. However, the war did bring several significant positive changes to our social and consumer lives. Among the items either generated, or at least popularized, by the war were: sun lamps, tea bags, daylight savings time, zippers and stainless steel. But perhaps the most ubiquitous thing popularized during the war was a wristwatch for men.
The wristwatch actually made its debut in the 19th century as a jewelry piece for women. Men shied away from this innovation, as the pocket watch was the ubiquitous symbol of male success and power. But during the Boer War (1899-1902) British army officers found that battlefield jobs precluded the usefulness of pocket watches. They found that strapping the watch onto their wrists proved far more efficient. Shortly after the war British watch sellers began to advertise male versions of the wristwatch. They emphasized its masculinity. But the Boer War was relatively short and its impact minimal.
World War I, however, provided the context and size needed to ignite the takeoff of men’s wristwatches. Several factors converged to facilitate this phenomenon. During World War I, the “timing” of military operations rose to unprecedented importance. Infantry had to precisely time their attacks and synchronize them with artillery barrages. If soldiers attacked too early, they risked being killed by their own artillery. If they attacked too late, the enemy soldiers would be able to recuperate from the artillery barrage and decimate the attacking force (which they successfully did most of the time anyway).
In addition, there was often no adequate space on a soldier’s belt or in his pocket to hold a watch. Whistles, gas masks and ammunition clips left little room for pocket watches. Plus, watches needed to be readily available, as did both hands to carry weapons and other supplies.
The wristwatches manufactured for soldiers had to be rugged and durable. This style greatly aided watch companies after the war, allowing the promotion of them as symbols of successful men. Some of the earliest post-war wristwatches even kept the face cages placed on trench watches to protect them from flying debris on the battlefield.
Although it took World War I for the broader world to appreciate the importance of precise timing, the Torah illustrated the need in this week’s parsha. The Torah describes (27:30) how after receiving Yitzchak’s blessing, Yaakov exits the tent in the nick of time. Rashi, based on the midrash, comments that Esav was coming in at the precise moment Yaakov was leaving. Why was there the need for such split-second timing?
Rashbam opines that such timing made it obvious that miracles occurred. Had Esav returned even a moment sooner Yaakov would have failed in his quest for the blessings. (Perhaps according to the Rashbam, Yitzchak, by seeing the miracles, would realize that Yaakov’s actions were Divinely sanctioned and not consider withdrawing his blessings.)
The Midrash Tanchuma (Toldot 11) relates that Esav was ready to return home much earlier. Had he done so he would have caught Yaakov in the act. But Hashem intervened and caused a series of mishaps to occur while Esav was hunting in order to delay him. Since these delays were the result of miracles, G-d limited the number of miracles to the bear minimum. Hence, the split-second timing. (This is in line with the general rule that even when miracles are necessary they are performed to the smallest extent possible and in conjunction with at least some minimal human initiative and action. See for example: Melachim I: 17; Melachim II: 4; Mesechet Taanit 24b & 25a.)
The Malbim in his commentary adds a practical consideration for the split-second timing. While it is obvious what the problem would have been had Esav returned earlier, it is less clear what the problem would have been had Esav returned somewhat later? He explains that had Esav returned later Yitzchak might have reviewed in his mind what transpired. This would have allowed any doubts Yitzchak was harboring about whom he had just blessed to surface to the point where he would have nullified the blessings. However, when Esav returned immediately following his blessing of Yaakov, Yitzchak realized that Yaakov was the righteous son who deserved the blessings and thus reaffirmed them.
Thus, according to the Malbim, the synchronization of Yaakov’s exit and Esav’s entrance was not just a function of the mechanics of miracle actualization, but a necessary element for Rivka’s plan to succeed. It was the precise timing of events that facilitated Yitzchak’s final approbation of the blessings he gave Yaakov.
Leaders must always pay attention to the importance of timing. This is true on the strategic level, such as when to launch a project, as well as on the tactical level, such as when to compliment or correct a follower. A robust sense of timing is a force multiplier in the toolkit of any leader. Only the leader who is aware of time can do things in a timely fashion, thus ensuring the timeless value of his decisions.