Rabbi Shimon [following the order of the verse in Isaiah and not the order of the meals] said: This man who completes the three meals on Shabbat, a voice comes forth [from the heavens] and proclaims of him [the verse]: "Then shall you delight yourself above G‑d" (Isaiah 58:14). This is in reference to one meal, corresponding to the most Holy Ancient One among the holy ["above G‑d" hints to Keter]. "And I will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth" is the second meal, corresponding to the Chakal Tapuchin Kadishin [Field of Holy Apple Trees]. "And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father" is the perfection it reaches in Zeir Anpin [of the most Holy Ancient One which appears Shabbat afternoon, called 'Heritage of Jacob your father' alludes to Jacob's sefira - tiferet - the core of Zeir Anpin] for which one should correspondingly complete his [third] meal.

One should be joyful and find pleasure in each and every one of them because this is a secret of perfected Faith. Therefore, Shabbat is more precious than all other times and holidays because it contains all [of Atzilut] in itself, whereas no other times or holidays do so.1 Rabbi Chiya said: Because all things are in it, it ["the seventh day"] is mentioned three times: "And by the seventh day G‑d ended His work which He had done... And He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done... And G‑d blessed the seventh day and sanctified it". (Gen. 2:2-3)

BeRahamim LeHayyim: Why did the Ari and Chida include this section? What do they want us to learn?

The Shabbat contains all in itself. That says it all. Which is why we are commanded to think of Her daily, to mention her when we say the Psalm of the day, to start preparing for Her when She approaches us. We may have a particular favorite festival, each doing its job to heal us in some fashion. But Shabbat stands at the center, containing all in Herself. Would that we keep such intention before us always.

What does the above mean to you, and why is it revealed to you now?

Bracketed annotations from Metok Midevash and Sulam commentaries
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