There are often reasons to wait three days before acting.

This does not mean that it is advisable to procrastinate. To the contrary. However, certain issues should be handled after putting them aside for some time.

A delay of three days offers time to think about things seriously. Jewish tradition offers many instances of waiting three days before serious events occurred:

• Joseph jailed his brothers for three days so that they would repent (Genesis 42:17)
• Before the Ten Commandments were given, the Israelites waited for three days, the "Shloshet Yemei Hagballa" (Exodus 19:15)
• Rehavam asked to wait for three days of consultations before responding to the nation (I Kings 12:5)
• Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days (Yona 2:3)
• Esther fasted for three days (Esther 4:16)

In each case, the waiting period had an effect on the feelings and outcome of the situation.