Make Shabbat Special!
We have a mitzvah (commandment) to honor and enjoy Shabbat1. Kavod – honor, refers to preparations like cleaning the house, cooking, showering, and putting on nice clothes, whereas oneg – enjoyment, refers to what we do on Shabbat itself, like eating foods that we enjoy2. Oneg also refers to not thinking about stressful things that are happening throughout the week3. We learn this from the words
שֶׁשת יִמים תֲעֹבֹד וְעָשיתָ כּל מַלַאכתָך
“Six days you should labor and do all your work.”
It is not humanely possible to finish all your work in 6 days, but this phrase implies that you should try to feel like all your work is done on Shabbat4.
The Shabbat Look
Before Shabbat comes in, the house should be in a state fit for the arrival of special guests5. Tables should be covered with tablecloths and be set special, and shabbat clothes should be worn. Even if a person is on their own, they should wear Shabbat clothes as a sign that they are honoring Shabbat6.
Shabbat preparations are so important that even Eliyahu HaNavi won’t announce Mashiach’s imminent arrival on erev Shabbos, so that people should not get distracted from their Shabbat preparations7. It’s not below anyone’s dignity to prepare for Shabbat – our great sages would be personally involved in Shabbat preparations8.
The mitzvah of Shabbat is mentioned 7 times in the Torah9 to teach us that all
seven days of the week hinge on Shabbat and are dependent on it for blessing10.
We are supposed to remember Shabbat all week long, and to prepare or set aside things for Shabbat. There are plenty of tasks that can be done all week long for Shabbat, like setting up the Shabbat candles, buying treats or special drinks, laying out the Shabbat tablecloth, polishing the silver, etc. Even a regular task like vacuuming or washing windows can be done lichvod Shabbaat – in the honor of shabbat! Look for ways to prepare for shabbat during the week whenever you can!
Shabbos on Time, Every Time
In 1939, Rav Yaakov Yosef Herman and his wife set sail for Eretz Yisroel with all their worldly possessions. Their lifelong dream of settling in the Holy Land was finally coming to fruition. Their ship was originally scheduled to arrive at Haifa port on Wednesday but was delayed and was arriving dangerously close to the onset of Shabbat. As they approached the port, loudspeakers blared urgent instructions. All passengers were to disembark immediately. Their luggage would be unloaded onto the pier, and everyone was responsible for claiming and removing their belongings as quickly as possible. Making a swift decision, Rav Herman took only his precious Sefer Torah case while his wife grabbed her handbag. They made their way through the crowded pier, seeking the head customs officer. They located a tall English officer who listened as Rav Herman explained his dilemma. “I have never desecrated Shabbat in my life. To arrive in the holy land and desecrate it here is impossible,” he pleaded, tears streaming down his face. Rav Herman continued, “Just stamp our passports and let us through. We’ll pick up our baggage after the Sabbath.”
“That would be impossible,” the officer countered. “We are removing all the baggage from the ship and leaving it on the pier. Everything must be cleared off the boat before it leaves port.” “I do not care about our baggage,” Rav Herman insisted. “Just stamp our passports so we can leave.” Looking bewildered, the officer asked, “How much baggage do you have?” “Sixteen crates in the hold and 9 suitcases in our cabin,” Rav Herman replied. The officer’s expression turned incredulous. “Well, do you realize that once you leave it here, your baggage will be on the pier with no one responsible for it? By tomorrow night, you will not find a shred of your belongings. The Arabs will have stolen them all.” Rav Herman’s voice rose with urgency, “I have no alternative, it’s almost time for the Sabbath. We must get to the city in time. Please, please just clear our passports and let us go.” Astonished, the officer called over a colleague and instructed him: “Stamp their passports and let them through. This Rabbi is willing to lose all his belongings in order to get into the city in time for their Sabbath.”
The Hermans quickly caught a taxi and arrived at their hosts’ home just as candle lighting time approached. Throughout that Shabbos, Rav Herman was spiritually elated. He repeatedly told his wife: “The Boss (Hashem) does everything for me. What could I ever do for Him? Now at last I have the zechut (privilege) to give Him everything for Shabbat.” When Shabbat concluded and they had completed the evening prayers and Havdalah ceremony, their host suggested, “Let’s go to the port. Perhaps some of your crates are still there.” Though the Hermans thought they had little hope, they accompanied him anyway.
The port was shrouded in darkness when they arrived, with only a small light visible in the distance. As they approached the illuminated area, they heard a crisp English voice call out: “Who goes there?” “Some passengers from the boat that docked late yesterday afternoon,” Rav Herman responded. The guard came closer, “What is your name?” “Jacob J Herman.” “Well, well, Rabbi. It’s about time you put in your appearance,” the guard exclaimed. “I was assured that you would be here the minute the sun set. You are a few hours late, and I have been responsible for your luggage for more than 24 hours. My commanding officer said he’d have my head if any of your baggage is missing. Kindly check that everything’s in order and remove it all as quickly as possible… I am totally exhausted11.”
Shabbos is the me’en haberacha (source of blessing) for the entire week, and in honoring it by being ready in good time, we enable these berachot (blessings) to reach us in full.
Read Shabbat part 1: What Is Shabbat?
Excerpted from Oorah’s Torah Nuggets
Shabbat Part 1 – Sources:
1 Aruch HaShulchan 242:40
2 Gra on Aruch HaShulchan ch.529
3 Smak #280, Elyah Raba 242:3
4 Mechilta Yisro #7
5 Shulchan Aruch 262:1
6 Shulchan Aruch 262:6
9 Shemos 16:26, 20:8, 23:12, 31:12 35:2, Vayikra 23:6, Devorim 5:12
10 Orech Hashulchan 242:2
11 Story from ‘All For The Boss’
