Waking up to greet the dawn is good for the soul

AM not typically a morning person; I don't like rising before dawn, I struggle with dark winter mornings, I like the peace and quiet of the night hours, when others are asleep (unfortunately, as a mother of teenagers that becomes a rare pleasure).

- Rabbi Gili Zidkiyahu

In the habits of my community in Nottingham - this morning cloudiness is hardly an issue, as we don't hold communal worship in the early hours... but in terms of my own spiritual practice - am I missing something?

In Jewish traditions, as in so many other spiritual and cultural practices, the awakening of the soul is linked to the early morning hours. Being fully present and aware as a new day dawns, being ready and prepared to greet a new day with awe and appreciation, these are seen (probably rightfully so) as expressions of dutiful life, of dedication and of spiritual effort.