The meaning of the number 7

Hi,

"Just as the miraculous act performed by Gd in Creation was done in six days, halting on the seventh day, so, too - to demonstrate to the nations and leaders that the conquest of Jericho was a Divine act, meaning marvelous and miraculous, like initial Creation - He commanded that they make seven circuits of Jericho in seven days, with seven kohanim and seven shofarot, to hint that this deed would be of the same type as that first Divine deed.

"This was also the purpose and reason for the mitzvah of Shabbat and of shemitah, regarding which the Torah also says 'a Shabbat for Gd', hinting at Shabbat of Creation."

(Abarbanel to Yehoshua 6)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

How can we tell that this is Shabbos?

Hi,

[Yes, the following requires some commentary...]

"Wicked Turnus Rufus also asked this question of Rabbi Akiva: Why is one day different from other days? He replied: Why are you different from other men?

"He replied: Because my master [Caesar] wishes it. [Rabbi Akiva:] The same is true for Shabbat; my Master wishes it.

"Turnus Rufus said: This is what I mean to ask: Who says that today is Shabbat? Rabbi Akiva replied: The Sabatyon River proves it [for it rests on Shabbat], the baal ov proves it [speaking to the dead is not effective on Shabbat], and your father's grave proves it for it does not produce smoke on Shabbat.

"He replied: You have disgraced him, you have shamed him, you have cursed him!"

(Talmud, Sanhedrin 65b)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

Are mitzvot good for the Jews?

Hi,

"Once the government decreed that Jews not observe Shabbat or circumcise their children, and that husbands and wives not observe the laws of family purity. R' Reuven ben Istrobili went and took the aristocratic style of haircut and sat among the government leaders.

"He said to them: If someone has an enemy, does he want the enemy to become poor or wealthy?

"They said: He wants the enemy to become poor.

"He said to them: Then let them abstain from work on Shabbat so that they will become poor!

"They said: You spoke well; cancel the decree. And they cancelled it.

"He then said to them: If someone has an enemy, does he want the enemy to become weak or strong?

"They said: He wants the enemy to become weak.

"He said to them: Then let them circumcise their children at eight days, so that they will become weak!

"They said: You spoke well; cancel the decree. And they cancelled it.

"He then said to them: If someone has an enemy, does he want the enemy to become many or few?

"They said: He wants the enemy to become few.

"He said to them: Then let them refrain from living together when she is a niddah!

"They said: You spoke well; cancel the decree. And they cancelled it."

(Talmud, Meilah 17a)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

Shabbos Studies

Hi,

"One may read nothing on Shabbat or Yom Tov, beyond the books of the Prophets and their explanations. This even applies to works of wisdom and knowledge."

(Rambam, Commentary to Mishnah, Shabbat 23:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Shabbat vs. Rosh Chodesh

Hi,

This is a paraphrase of an idea:

Shabbat follows the six days of work, and a person's path during the six days of work is what merits the light of the sanctity of Shabbat. As the gemara says, one who works on erev Shabbat will have food to eat on Shabbat.

Rosh Chodesh, on the other hand, is at the start of the month. We have not yet performed deeds to merit the illumination of Rosh Chodesh, but this day, which comes after the moon has been reduced, hints to a person to recognize that he lacks light, and if he does not work and accept responsibility for the future, he will come in darkness and go in darkness and gain nothing for his struggle.

(The Sochachover, Shem m'Shemuel Reeh 5677, pg. 105)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Shabbat and the ultimate inheritance of the Jew

Hi,

“The gemara states, ‘One who enjoys Shabbat will be given a boundless portion, as it is written, I will feed you the portion of Yaakov… and you will spread…’

“This means the following: We are taught that when Gd said to Yaakov, I will give you the land upon which you lie, He folded up all of Israel and placed it beneath him. This is the root of the concept of ‘the foundation stone,’ which is the root of the world. Yaakov Avinu, the complete man, for whom all was created, merited this foundation site upon which all else depended. There it is written, I will give it to you, and to your descendants, and so all Israel owns a portion of this gift.

“This is fulfilled on the sacred Shabbat, regarding which the sages wrote, ‘I have a great gift in My storehouse, and it is called Shabbat.’

“This is the meaning of the Torah’s statement regarding Shabbat, No man should leave his place. Shabbat gives each Jew a place.”

(R' Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter, Sfat Emet to Vayyetze 5652)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The Blessing of Shabbat, the Sanctity of Shabbat

Hi,

"Gd blessed Shabbat with the Manna and Gd sanctified Shabbat with the Manna:

"Gd blessed Shabbat with the Manna in that an omer measure of Manna fell daily, but on the eve of Shabbat two omer measures fell. Gd sanctified Shabbat with the Manna in that the Manna did not descend on Shabbat at all."

(Midrash, Bereishit Rabbah 11:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The unique love of Shabbat

Hi,

[Regarding the amidah for holidays which coincide with Shabbat:]

"We include the phrase, 'You have given us... with love, a day declared to be holy," referring to the uniqueness of Shabbat, which we accepted with love."

(Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 487:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Why Shabbat is different

Hi,

"Roman governor Turnus Rufus asked R' Akiva: Why is Shabbat any different from any other day?

"R' Akiva responded: Why are you any different from any other person? (Just as people invest you with special status, so too people invest Shabbat with special status.)

"Turnus Rufus replied: I am different because my master (the Caesar) declared me different!

"R' Akiva responded: For Shabbat, too, the Master declared it different!"

(Talmud, Shabbat 65b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai