#198: Machshavah

Every Shabbat, we recite chapter 92 of Tehillim twice during our tefilla, once at night and once in the morning. It begins as follows: “A psalm, a song for Shabbat day. It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing to Your name, O Most High.” If a person should praise Hashem every day of the week, why does this psalm connect praise specifically to Shabbat? The Radak explains that Shabbat is an especially ideal time to praise Hashem since a person does not work and is free to spend additional time on spiritual matters, such as praising and thanking Hashem (see also Rashi, who understands the psalm differently).

We learn from the Radak that on Shabbat, when we do not work and are not allowed to engage in forbidden melacha, we should focus our energies on spiritual matters, such as praising Hashem for all that He gives us in this world. Sometimes, people question why Shabbat must include many detailed prohibitions and is not limited to the positive mitzvot that make the day unique. The answer is that if we were still permitted to engage in other activities, our minds would still be constantly distracted, and we would be unable to focus on the spiritual aspects of the day, such as acknowledging of the good that Hashem bestows upon us in this world, even in challenging times for the Jewish people.

As we learn about many of the halachot related to the prohibitions of Shabbat over the next few months, we should keep in mind the overall goal behind these rules and guidelines, which is to create a conducive environment for spiritual growth and connecting 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.