We say in the zemer of “Baruch Keil Elyon,” “את עמו לשבות אזן בנעימים”. Some understand this to mean that אזן is the balance, "איזון" in modern Hebrew. They explain that Hashem told us to rest (לשבת), meaning not to do melachah, but He balanced it with נעימים, the enjoyable part of Shabbat of eating and עונג. They explain that the more we honor Shabbat with the positive, of having good food, nice clothing, and other methods of kavod, the better will be our success at refraining from melachah and the lo ta’asehs of keeping Shabbat.

This is an important message for us in Shabbat observance. Sometimes people feel it is difficult to refrain from all of their regular activities, especially electronic devices. Part of the answer may be that the more we invest in the נעימים, the enjoyable parts of Shabbat, the more we will enjoy the day and appreciate the importance of refraining from melachah.

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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.