Parshat Behar

24 Iyar 5764

May 15, 2004
Daf Yomi: Chulin 113

Guest Author:
Rabbi Dov Schreier

Young Israel of North Bellmore, NY

 

Sabbath Observance
The beginning of the portion of Parshat Behar discusses the Shemittah, the sabbatical year. The verse states: Sheish Shanim Tizra Es Artzecha Viasafta es Tivuasa. For six years you can plant and work your field and then gather all the wheat. When the seventh year, comes as we refer to it as Shemita, the sabbatical year, in that year any work on the land is forbidden. The Torah goes on to tell us that G-d will give us enough sustenance in the sixth year of the cycle to last us for the sixth, seventh and part of the eighth years until new grain can grow. We are being told that leaving our field during this sabbatical year is a foundation in our Emunah, our faith and trust in HaShem. Rashi also explains to us the risks involved in the non observance of the sabbatical year. Rashi tells us that after the destruction of the first Temple the seventy year exile was a punishment for 70 sabbatical years that were not observed by the children of Israel during this period of time.

We find a similar idea in our weekly lives. The Torah also puts the words in a similar fashion. I am referring to the commandment of observing the Shabbos. The Torah states Shaishes Yamim Taavod Viasisa Kol Milachtecha, six days you shall work and make sure all of our needs are taken care of and parallel to the Shemita cycle that we are permitted to work the land for 6 years, but on the seventh day and year Shabbos LaHashem Elokecha, is a day (year) of rest for HaShem. Just as He rested on the seventh day so too we are commanded to rest on the seventh day.

Shabbos observance is also a foundation in Emunah, our complete faith in G-d, and our lack of observance of the Shabbos is tantamount to denying the existence of G-d. For one to not believe that all his work is done in six days then we are as if saying to G-d ,"I do not believe that I can complete my work in 6 days.�

I would like to focus a bit on two aspects of what it means to properly observe the Shabbos. The Gemara tells us of Hillel who, anytime he would find a nice piece of meat or a nice fruit he would say Zu Lishabbos, he would set it aside for Shabbos. In addition every morning at the end of our daily prayers we recite the Shir Shel Yom, the Psalm which was recited by the Liviim in the Beis Hamikdash, in the Temple. We begin these Psalms by reciting today is Rishon Bishabbos, the first day in the Shabbos. The message being very clear that even on Monday or any other day not only should our eyes be looking toward the Shabbos, but also we should be trying to honor the Shabbos in the best way possible. This would be referred to as Kavod Shabbos. Our rabbis have learned this requirement from a verse in Isaiah, which says: Vikarasa liShabbos Oneg.. Vichibadito, one shall call the Shabbos enjoyment and honor it. How does one go about honoring the Shabbos? Our rabbis tell us with clean and freshly laundered clothing, with lighting candles and preparing special foods just for Kavod Shabbos, the honor of Shabbos.

The second aspect comes from the beginning of the Zemiros which we say on Friday evenings. The phrase seems to be repetitive, however with a closer look they are really very different. The phrase begins, Kol Mikadeish Shivii Karaui lo, anyone who sanctifies the Shabbos in its proper manner. The second half of the phrase continues Kol Shomer Shabbos Kadas Maichalilo, one who observes the Shabbos according to the letter of the law without desecrating it. At first glance they may be saying the same thing, however I would like to present two scenarios which will then show a glaring difference between the first half and second half of the phrase.

Two people, Chaim and Shimon for arguments sake. Chaim, on Friday, comes home a couple of hours before Shabbos, helps his wife clean the house for Shabbos, shaves and takes a shower,( not relying on what was done in the morning in order to go to work). He then sets the table before going to shul, so when he returns from shul they are ready to begin their meal.
His Shabbos meal is filled with singing zemiros and saying over ideas from the portion of the week, on his own level. After shul on Shabbos morning the meal is similar to the night before with zemiros and words of Torah. Sleeps a bit Shabbos afternoon (after all, this is also a Mitzvah). He goes for a Shabbos walk with his wife and children and then goes to the Rabbis class before Mincha, eats Shalosh Seudos and then Shabbos is over.

Whereas Shimon, comes home five minutes before candle lighting, if that, empties his pockets, barely makes it to shul on time, comes home speeds through the meal and into bed.
He wakes up in morning and go to shul again, on time of course. The day meal is similar to the night meal. He sleeps the whole afternoon getting up in time for Mincha, eats Shalosh Seudos and this is the end of his Shabbos.

Two people, both observing of Shabbos. Chaim certainly was Shomer Shabbos Kadas Maichalilo, no one can say that he desecrated the Shabbos, however we cannot say that he was Mikadaish Shivii Karaui lo, This is not the way G-d wants us to observe the Shabbos. We must all look into ourselves and determine which scenario of Shabbos observance are we closer to.

There is definitely emphasis put on the preparation for Shabbos. Many Schools want to set the proper atmosphere at the Shabbos table and therefore they give the children sheets with questions on the weekly Portion that are asked at many a Shabbos table, which certainly enhance the honor and sanctity of the Shabbos meal. Baruch HaShem, many Torah books are available today in English and other familiar languages so there is no excuse for someone not to have at least a Torah insight to say at their Shabbos table. While at the same time resting on Shabbos is important as well.

Our Rabbis tell us if the children of Israel would properly observe just two Shabbasos, HaShem would immediately bring the redemption. We have seen aspects of how to honor and sanctify the Shabbos. If we can all take these two ideas and put them into practice by greater emphasizing the importance of Shemiras Shabbos, we will be able to hasten the bringing of our redemption, Bimihaira Viymainu Amein.

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