לזכר נשמות לאה שושנה בת אהרן ריעדער מורינו ר׳ צבי הערש בן ר׳ ניסן חיים מורינו ר׳ ישעי בן ר׳ משה ר׳ יעקב בן ר׳ שמואל יוסף מ׳ חוה רבקה בת ר׳ שמעון ריעדער

Based on Nefesh Shimshon by Rav Shimshon Pincus, zt”l

There are other aspects of Shabbos that seem to make no sense. In the Aseres Hadibros, as written in Sefer Shemos, Shabbos is described as zecher lmaasei Bereishis — a remembrance of the creation of the world. But in Sefer Devarim, Shabbos is called zecher l’yetzias Mitzrayim.

The connection between Shabbos and Yetzias Mitzrayim is not so obvious. Shabbos, having come into being on the seventh day of Creation, existed in a certain form even before Yetzias Mitzrayim. Imagine a man works long and hard to construct a great building. When the structure is finally complete, he relaxes in an easy chair, stretches out his legs, and takes a good long rest. If we wanted to imitate his great work, would we imitate him resting? Would that be an appropriate symbol of his hard work?

Likewise, let’s say we wanted to commemorate the Creation of the world. The most appropriate way would be to work hard, to perform various forms of creative work on Shabbos. We should engage in all 39 forms of melachah, reciting a special brachah saying that our labors are in remembrance of the work done by Hashem when creating the world.

But the Torah commands us not to work on Shabbos, but rather to rest.

So what is the meaning of rest?

In Minchah of Shabbos we say, “A rest of love and generosity, a rest of truth, a rest of truth and faith, a rest of peace and tranquility and quiet and security.”

What are all these kinds of rest?

On Shabbos, work is not “forbidden.” Let us consider the mystery of hilchos Shabbos. The acts forbidden on Shabbos are the 39 forms of melachah that were done for the Mishkan, and whatever is similar to these melachos. We all know melachah doesn't necessarily mean “work.” For instance, carrying heavy burdens on Shabbos is permitted by Torah law. Although the rabbis forbade it, it’s not considered a melachah.

The Torah-forbidden forms of work are what is called “melachos machshavos — creative work.”

Any melachah that needed to be done for the building of the Mishkan is forbidden. And since the Mishkan is called a “miniature world,” any act of creation is forbidden on Shabbos.

Why should we want to forbid acts of creation? The greatness of a human being lies in his ability to create.

So on Shabbos… do not be a human being!

Had the Torah forbidden hard labor, we would have understood: don’t be like an animal, don’t carry burdens like animals do. But that’s not the Torah’s message. Work is allowed — creating is not.

It’s what makes human beings special that is forbidden on Shabbos.

We understand, as Torah-observant Jews, why opening a fridge with a light or using a bar of soap is forbidden.

Why are so many things forbidden, almost to the point that we look like we’re held prisoner by Shabbos?

Not only physically can’t we behave like it’s a weekday, but also psychologically.

The radio is off, no newspapers, we have no access to what’s happening outside in the world.

Shabbos seems so limiting.

Why does the Torah want it this way?

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Let’s Reflect:

Do we feel limited because we can’t act like it’s weekday? Or do we understand that true rest means resting the parts of ourselves that are constantly creating.

How can we create true rest in our homes on Shabbos every week?

What conversations and interests can we turn off in order to ensure our homes feel like Shabbos?

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