Hosting guests for Shabbat dinner on Friday evening is always a source of pride and pleasure for our family. Shainy prepares a delicious spread and the table is set to perfection.
One week, a young boy came over with his family and was amazed at seeing the table set as if it were Thanksgiving.
“Do you do this every week?” he asked.
“Every week.”
“Wow! You guys do Shabbat right!”
His genuine compliment was greatly appreciated, but it also got me thinking about what it means to “do Shabbat right.”
Three thousand years ago, shortly after the Exodus from Egypt, Moses communicated to the Jewish people the instructions for building the Mishkan (Tabernacle)—an edifice to serve as a divine dwelling place within the Israelite camp. He prefaced these instructions by reminding the people of the importance of keeping Shabbat: “Work shall be done for six days, and the seventh day shall be holy for you, a complete rest from work.”1
Lest their enthusiasm inspire them to prepare G‑d’s home 24/7, the Torah clarified that construction of the Mishkan must halt on Shabbat. But there is an additional reason for mentioning Shabbat in this context.
Contrary to common perception, the definition of “work” in relation to Shabbat observance has nothing to do with making a living or physical exertion. In fact, the specifics of Shabbat observance are modeled after a defined set of labors that were employed in the construction of the Mishkan. These specifics are discussed at length in the Talmud and the Code of Jewish Law.
Beyond providing the halachic template for Shabbat observance, this verse also teaches us the proper Jewish work ethic with one curious grammatical nuance. Why does the Torah employ the passive expression “work shall be done” instead of the active “you shall work”?
Our sages declare that one must rest on Shabbat “as if all work has been done.”2 One should not only take a break from work—one needs to feel as if there is no work left to be done! How is this practical?
The secret of “doing Shabbat right” is embedded in the passive expression of “work shall be done.” Take your work seriously and give it all you got. But the stress and preoccupation that comes along with it is unnecessary, spiritually numbing and emotionally draining. Being mindful that success is a blessing from G‑d and that work is merely a natural channel for the divine blessing to flow into our universe is a sure way to erase stress and anxiety from the experience.
“Doing Shabbat right” is not limited to observing the relevant laws one day a week. A peaceful and spiritually uplifting Shabbat depends on a more focused and spiritually balanced workweek.
Conversely, when observed properly according to Jewish law, Shabbat redefines the workweek. It’s divine energy permeates every fiber of our being and every moment of our lives, allowing us to live up to our fullest potential.
Shabbat is our eternal heritage and G‑d’s divine gift to every Jew. I encourage you to tap into this special energy by increasing your commitment to this beautiful mitzvah. Women and girls should light Shabbat candles at the proper time on Friday afternoon. Make a commitment to reciting kiddush on a glass of kosher wine before dinner on Friday night. Take on Shabbat observance one step at a time, and see the blessings of Shabbat envelope your reality.
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