[Avodah] Toch kedei dibbur / cheilek

[Micha Berger]

A possible explanation for why the halachic quantum of time is a cheileq --
which tokh kedei dibbur (the time it takes to say 4 words of 10 syllables)
is a pretty solid approximation...

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/01/hugs-follow-a-3-second-rule.html

    Hugs Follow a 3-Second Rule
    by Rebecca Kessler on 28 January 2011, 1:23 PM

    Ever wondered how long a hug lasts? The quick answer is about 3
    seconds, according to a new study of the post-competition embraces of
    Olympic athletes. But the long answer is more profound. A hug lasts
    about as much time as many other human actions and neurological
    processes, which supports a hypothesis that we go through life
    perceiving the present in a series of 3-second windows.

    Crosscultural studies dating back to 1911 have shown that people
    tend to operate in 3-second bursts. Goodbye waves, musical phrases,
    and infants' bouts of babbling and gesturing all last about 3
    seconds. Many basic physiological events, such as relaxed breathing
    and certain nervous system functions do, too....

:-)BBii!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             The Maharal of Prague created a golem, and
micha at aishdas.org        this was a great wonder. But it is much more
http://www.aishdas.org   wonderful to transform a corporeal person into a
Fax: (270) 514-1507      "mensch"!     -Rav Yisrael Salanter