An Introduction:
Why learn the laws of Muktzah? - The significance of Shabbat
"More than the Jews kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews"
- Ahad Ha'am, Asher Ginsberg, poet, philosopher, 1856 - 1927
There are fewer features of Jewish life that have had, and continue to have such an impact greater than Shabbat.
- How has Shabbat impacted your life?
- How is Shabbat more than simply a day off each week?
The Torah instructs us to guard and observe Shabbat, and the Sages were entrusted in interpreting what it means to guard and observe Shabbat. We will explore some of the values that the Sages incorporated into Shabbat observance that transformed it and us forever.
What makes Shabbat unique?
Shabbat is unique in that it puts humanity in a state of completion... On Shabbat, a person receives as extra soul, which leaves them when Shabbat concludes... Shabbat [is the day] that creation was completed, and with the completion of creation comes a higher level of completion for the human being, by way of this extra soul.
God gave Shabbat to the Jewish people in order that it be their perfection. [Shabbat] therefore has the power to provide the Jewish people with all that they are lacking. Thus, the Talmud teaches that in keeping Shabbat, the Jewish people have the power to bring redemption - that time and state when both the Jewish people and the entire world will finally be perfected.
- Rabbi Yehuda Loew - the Maharal - Chiddushei Aggadot, Shabbat 118a
- How does Shabbat "complete" us? How does it complete creation?
- What is missing during the week that is completed by the extra soul we receive on Shabbat?
בְּעָא מִינֵּיהּ רַבִּי מֵרַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי: עֲשִׁירִים שֶׁבְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּמָּה הֵן זוֹכִין? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁמְּעַשְּׂרִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עַשֵּׂר תְּעַשֵּׂר״ — עַשֵּׂר בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁתִּתְעַשֵּׁר. שֶׁבְּבָבֶל בַּמָּה הֵן זוֹכִין?
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וְשֶׁבִּשְׁאָר אֲרָצוֹת בַּמָּה הֵן זוֹכִין? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁמְּכַבְּדִין אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת.
Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi raised a dilemma before Rabbi Yishmael, son of Rabbi Yosei: With regard to the wealthy of Eretz Yisrael, by what virtue do they merit their wealth? He said to him: Because they tithe, as it is stated: “A tithe you shall tithe [asser te’asser] (Deuteronomy 14:22). The Sages interpreted this homiletically: Take a tithe [asser] so that you will become wealthy [titasher]. He asked: With regard to the wealthy of Babylonia, who are not obligated to tithe, by what virtue do they merit their wealth?
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With regard to the wealthy of other countries, where there are no Sages, by what virtue do they merit their wealth? He said to him: Because they honor Shabbat,
Summary of above source: Shabbat is the source of financial security for Jews in the Diaspora
For reflection and discussion:
- Why do you think there is a distinction made between the financial security of Jews in Israel vs. in the Diaspora?
- I understand that the giving of charity would work 'midda knegged midda' - 'like for like,' and would therefore in return create greater financial reward for the giver of charity. How does keeping Shabbat fit into that framework?
- How does this statement of our Sages change your perspective of the significance of Shabbat? How does it shape how you think about the sacrifices we make to keep this holy day?
Shabbat as an opportunity for repentance:
Summary of above source: Shabbat as an opportunity to repair sins
For reflection and discussion:
- Rabbi Hiyya presents the opinion that observing Shabbat is so powerful it can repair all mistakes, even some of the worst mistakes like worshiping idols.
- How may Shabbat observance repair those mistakes (think recognizing a Creator of the world)?
- Today we don't worship idols too much but Shabbat still remains, and the opportunity to repair mistakes is still available. How do we work to make Shabbat a day of repair?