The Piaseczsna Rebbe comments that a mashal (parable) is told of a king’s son who was banished from the royal palace. In the last moment before his departure, he draws close to his father in a final embrace. The Piaseczna Rebbe says that this is what happens to us at Seudah Shlishit. Before being thrust onto the weekly treadmill, a Jew cries out to Hashem when singing Mizmor L’dovid: גם כי אלך בגיא צלמוות לא אירא רע כי אתה עמדי - Even when I walk in the valley of death, I won’t fear evil for You are with me (Hachsharat Avreichim).

We see from here that Seudah Shlishit is not just about having something to eat (which we noted in the past is also an important mitzvah), it is about the closeness with Hashem achieved through singing and sharing Torah thoughts. May we all merit to achieve such closeness with Hashem on Shabbat and at Seudah Shlishit.

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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.