#75: Machshavah

Rav Eliezer Melamed suggests a beautiful thought about the significance of reciting Kiddush on wine (translation taken from the Pininei Halakha English website, https://ph.yhb.org.il/en/01-06-03/):

"The recitation of Kiddush over wine has profound significance. Generally, holiness comes to expression in the spiritual world in a somber and serious fashion, while in the material world, the evil inclinations toward lust, arrogance, and mockery are more evident. Therefore, gentile spiritual leaders often distance themselves from joy and jubilation, as they are likely to entice one toward despicable physical desires. This is not the case for Jews. We sanctify Shabbat with wine to express the holiness of Shabbat, which reveals itself in both the spiritual and material worlds. Joy and jubilation, when properly directed, can be our true partners in revealing holiness in the world. This is the point of Shabbat – to reveal holiness through Torah study as well as festive meals, through prayer as well as Kiddush over wine. This accords with the statement of the Sages: “One who recites Kiddush over wine on Friday night is granted long life in this world and in the World to Come” (Pirkei De-Rabbi Eliezer 19)."

May we all merit to accept Shabbat with joy and through the Kiddush and rest of the day, elevate our physical and spiritual levels to an even higher level of holiness and connection to Hashem.

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.