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

On Shabbos, Hashem considers us perfect tzaddikim who’ve never sinned. Therefore, on Shabbos, the korban Mussaf contains two sheep: there is no goat for a sin-offering. On Shabbos, there’s no sin.

How can this be? Aveiros are committed only when a person feels the world belongs to him and he can do what he pleases. But when a person stands up and declares over a cup of wine that the world has a Creator, then he feels obligated to act according to Hashem’s will.

So why do we recite Vayechulu over a cup of wine?

Because reciting this belief alongside a cup of wine solidifies it into a declaration.

He is saying, this wine is real and so are the words I’m declaring.

The fact Hashem created the world is as much a reality as this wine I’m drinking.

The moment we realize we’re in Hashem’s Hands, there’s no more aveiros. We’re in His House, in His embrace.

Everything is now different.

When Rav Shimshon zt"zl was a young bachur, he heard a speaker mention the concept of teshuvah… on Shabbos.

“But we don’t do teshuvah on Shabbos!” Rav Shimshon exclaimed.

The speaker smiled. “On the contrary, Shabbos is all about returning to Hashem. Maybe we don’t say Viddui on Shabbos, but that’s because Shabbos itself brings us close to Hashem.”

Chazal say that just as the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah is a special time to seek out Hashem, and call out to Him, so is Shabbos.

Davening on Shabbos is like davening on Yom Kippur.

It has a special power.

On Shabbos, there is no hint of aveiros, as it’s written, “Evil cannot dwell with You.”

There is no sin where Hashem is.

All darkness evaporates in the face of light.

Once a week, we get to live and bask in that light.

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Let’s Reflect:

Now that we know how powerful Shabbos is – like Yom Kippur! – what are we going to do about it? How will we make sure our Shabbos truly is sin-free?

How can we give over to our families that we are living, once a week, on a higher plane entirely?

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