Resting on Shabbat: Practical Parshah - Vayakhel
“Six days shall you work…” How does one actually rest on Shabbat?
Rabbi Mendel Kaplan is the Spiritual Leader and Executive Director of Chabad Flamingo in Thornhill, Ontario, serving one of Canada’s most dynamic Jewish communities. He also serves as Chaplain of the York Regional Police Service. He is an active member of Toronto’s Vaad HaRabbanim (Council of Orthodox Rabbis), and a voting member of the COR Kashruth Council of Canada’s executive rabbinical board. Rabbi Kaplan is featured regularly on many local television and radio shows. He is a sought after speaker, with hundreds of lectures on Chabad.org. He and his wife, Faygie, are blessed with eight children. Artistically endowed, the rabbi enjoys drawing, sketching and creating charcoal portraits.
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bin tran
fremont, ca
February 26, 2011
Shabbat Thank you for this week's teaching on this topic, Rabbi Kaplan. Rabbi Kaplan I have one question, if we we keep all the mitzvot and act as a Kohen when we do our ritual hand-washing before the hamotzi and if the table is an alter, does the Kohen perform service in Beit Mikdash on Shabbat? This includes various Temple service? Thanks again Rabbi for another great teaching. Reply
The Kohen certainly does do his duty in the Temple on Shabbat. As do we Jewish people perform the mitzvah of circumcision when the eighth day is on the Shabbat. The idea that we do many rituals that are Temple inspired cannot be construed as literal service of the Kohen, rather it is from those rituals that we derive inspiration. I hope that helps clarify…