From school to soccer, from studying to chores, from social life to extracurricular activities, our busy week can be quite hectic.

And that is precisely why we are commanded to stop and take a break every week. We need one full day to recharge ourselves, think about G‑d, and learn His Torah. Although we do indeed do this throughout the week, G‑d wants one special day that is solely dedicated to Him. Shabbat is a blessing where we can relax, regain focus for our coming week, and spend quality time with the family in a spiritual atmosphere.

In this week’s Torah portion we learn about a new kind of Shabbat that G‑d wants us to keep. It’s a year-long Shabbat that comes around every seven years.1 (Although we don’t keep it today outside of Israel, it is kept by the Jews in Israel, and will be kept in its entirety when we are returned to Israel with the Temple when Moshiach comes.)

This year of rest is a special year, when G‑d wants us to connect with Him 24/7. He does not want us to be busy with the field (in our case, the soccer field), and spend precious time worrying about our livelihoods (or how we’ll win the game). He wants us to connect with Him and spend precious time studying His Torah—for one year straight! This recharge takes us through the next six years, until we need another year-long Shabbat spent with G‑d.

So, cherish the special day that comes ’round each week, and take advantage of its possibilities. And get ready for the Redemption and that long Shabbat it will bring!

  • What do you do to make Shabbat special, and take advantage of the holy day?
  • What are some new ways you can think of to make Shabbat special?
  • If someone doesn’t observe Shabbat, can they still connect with G‑d on that day?
  • Why is the weekly recharge so important?