Preparing for Shabbat during the week

Hi,

"The sages wrote that a person should sharpen knives in honor of Shabbat. This is hinted in the verse, 'And they shall prepare whatever – Et – they will bring;' 'Et' connotes knives and cutting implements.

"It is proper to clean spider webs from the walls. It is appropriate to taste Shabbat foods on Friday; 'Those who taste it, have merited life.'

"All of these acts are within the scope of honoring Shabbat; a person performs such acts in preparing to greet a great person. A person tastes the food and cleans the house, and sharpens knives to prepare for eating."

(R' Yechiel Michel Epstein, Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 250:4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai