The very first book of the Talmud is called Berahot.
"Blessings," and in one of its opening passages, a rabbi asks his
students how they can tell when the night has ended and the day has begun (in
which case it is time to recite the Shema). "Could it be," asked one
of the students, "when you see an animal in the distance and can tell
whether it's a sheep or a dog?'
"No." answered the rabbi. Another asked, "Is
it when you can look at a tree in the distance and tell whether it is a fig
tree or a peach tree?" "No again." replied the rabbi. "Then
when is it?" the pupils demanded. And the sage answered, "It is when
you can look at the face of any man or woman or child and see that it is your
sister or brother. Because, if you cannot see this, it is still night."
Rabbi Jack Reimer
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