110. Arising (b) / השכמה
All good things require planning and preparation. This applies to arising early in the morning as well. Therefore, the God-fearing man who wishes to arise early and arrive early to the beis hakeneses to pray with the community, and who does not want to lose many benefits, will follow this holy routine: He will not stay awake late at night, not even for Torah study, and certainly not for any mundane purpose or merriment. Rather, he will retire early, enjoy his rest and rise early. He then engages in Torah study with the abilities that he was graced by Hashem. He arrives early to the beis hakeneses and prays with the public. He thus enjoys good in this World — because his body will be strong and healthy — and good in the World to Come — for he acquires his portion that he will enjoy there and prepares the delights that will await him there.
The verse asks: How long will you recline, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? (Mishlei 6:9). Homiletically, the verse can be read thus: How long, O sluggard? — how long will you refuse to go to sleep because of your laziness? “Recline and go to sleep!” And if you ask, why should you care that you dillydally before going to sleep? I will answer: When will you arise from your sleep? — if you go to sleep late, who knows what late hour of the day you will wake up.
This should be enough of a message for one who has a heart that understands, eyes to see and ears to hear; his heart will understand and his ears will hear — he will repent and he will be healed.