This1 is the message of a Melaveh Malkah, which takes place after the passage of 24 hours during which no business was done. Yet one has to compete with someone who has not observed Shabbos — and according to the natural order of things, every additional working day adds dollars to one’s bank account.

In response to this, the One on High2 says: “ ‘Have no fear, My servant Yaakov!’3 If you are My servant, you have nothing to fear. I will provide you with everything.”

When someone has a bondman, the Torah rules that the master has to provide for him and for his family. The bondman is obligated to do the work that his master assigns him; as to his livelihood, his master will see to that. The same applies to Jews. When a Jew is “My servant Yaakov,” and does what the One on High wants him to do, He provides him with all his needs, both spiritual and material.

This is highlighted whenever a group of Jews foregather happily for their weekly Melaveh Malkah. A day has just passed during which there was no income. Not only that, but there were various Shabbos expenses as well, and a donation made in the course of a Mi SheBeirach4after being called to the Torah, and there was a guest for Kiddush and a Shabbos meal, and so on.

And when that day comes to an end on Motzaei Shabbos, a Jew says Baruch Atah... boreh meorei ha’esh, blessing Him “Who creates the lights of fire,” for he knows that though the world outside is dark, he is able to light it up. This is what we learn in the Midrash — that the first time Adam saw nightfall, G‑d gave him the notion that he should rub two stones together and produce light. It was then that he discovered that a man is able to diffuse light even when the world around him is dark.