When the ruach descends [on Shabbat, from the world of Atzilut], sixty Chariots descend with it to the Garden of Eden, crowned in the six directions. When it arrives in the Garden of Eden, then all these spirits and souls in the Garden of Eden, are crowned with this ruach. An announcement is made and proclaims: "Happy are Israel, a holy nation, for the goodwill of your Master is awakened toward you (for the holiness of Shabbat is aroused from above to sanctify Israel).

The most guarded mystery is for those who know wisdom. Happy are they when that ruach is aroused. That ruach is the expansion of the point [of malchut]. It comes from it and spreads throughout the world. And that [ruach] is the secret of Shabbat, which influences Below. Therefore it is written regarding it that it should be guarded, as per "And the children of Israel shall guard the Shabbat." (Ex. 31:16) It has been explained that it does not say "Shabbat," but "the Shabbat," alluding to that additional ruach who rests upon everything and needs to be protected, because it found with man. Therefore it is written: "…all who guard the Shabbat from profaning it1" (Isaiah 56:2)

BeRahamim LeHayyim: What does the above mean to you, and why is it being revealed to you now?

Use it, or Lose it! What an awesome responsibility we have concerning Shabbat! On the one hand, we are blesssed with an extra ruach /spirit that descends upon us from the highest of places, the world of Atzilut. On the other hand, if we don't make any effort to remember and guard the Shabbat, it is lost, and we open ourselves to attached negativity on this holy day.

"Veshameru/they shall keep" means that if they don't, there is no Shabbat connection. Not a threat, but an encouragement to make sure that some Shabbat consciousness pervade your day.

Bracketed annotations from Metok Midevash and Sulam commentaries
Copyright 2003 by KabbalaOnline.org, a project of Ascent of Safed (//ascentofsafed.com). All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this work or portions thereof, in any form, unless with permission, in writing, from Kabbala Online.