Perashat Beshalah 5777

Perashat Beshalah 5777

This week’s perasha, Beshalah, highlights, among other things, the miraculous parting of the Sea, followed by the ‘Song of Moses’ – which marked the completion of B’nei Yisrael’s redemption from Egypt.  The final stage of the redemption, however, was not to take place until six weeks later, with the Revelation of the Almighty at Sinai and the giving of the Law.  Our sages, however, maintain, that some laws were already given – perhaps on a trial basis – at Marah; one of the way-stations on the route between Egypt and Mt. Sinai.  (See BT Sanhedrin 58b).  Among those laws was the missva of the Shabbat.  The Torah itself alludes to this fact in the section regarding the Manna, the special food provided to the people by G-d in the desert.  The text says:  “See that G-d has given you the Shabbat; therefore He gives to you on Friday a double portion [of Manna]… (Exodus 16:29)

The observance of the Shabbat has always been one of the defining characteristics of the Jew, and has been used as the ‘yardstick’ in identifying those who are faithful to Torah and missvot.  Since belief in the Creator and His creation of the world is so fundamental to the Jewish ethic, it is the gold-standard used to endow the observant Jew with certain rights and privileges within the Jewish community.  

Rabbi S. Pruzansky, in Sadeka Mimeni, notes that our hakhamim made two famous statements about the Shabbat which seem to contradict each other.  “Rabbi Levi said:  if the Jewish people would observe even one Shabbat properly, the son of David [i.e., the Messiah] would come.”  (MR Exodus 25:12) However, the Talmud relates that Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai says, “If only the Jewish people would observe two Sabbaths according to the law, they would immediately be redeemed.”  (BT Shabbat 118b)  Which of these two opinions is correct; what would be the difference between observing one Shabbat or two?

Rabbi Pruzansky offers the following answer:  doing anything one time, including celebrating one Shabbat is called, “an experience.”  When one does something for the first time, it is exciting, different and unique.  While experiencing something on a one-time basis is a phenomenon, doing something twice, is already a commitment.  If someone chooses to observe Shabbat a second time, it demonstrates that this person is not simply responding to a mere curiosity, but rather to the calling of a higher purpose.  This means that the Shabbat appealed to this person, and now his observance (or desire to observe it properly) is much more profound and real.  So then, how do we understand Rabbi Levi’s opinion, that even observing one Shabbat properly serves as a prerequisite for the coming of the Messiah?

The great Jewish thinker, the Maharal of Prague, explained that according to Rabbi Levi, the proper observance of one Shabbat would suffice to distinguish the Jewish people from the nations of the world, transforming and elevating us to greater spiritual heights.  However, according to the opinion of Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai, two Sabbaths are necessary, as the first one defines us and elevates us above the nations, whereas the second one is needed to reinforce this commitment.  The Messiah may come when we embrace our uniqueness, but the full redemption is only possible when the entire nation acknowledges and internalizes our destiny.  

Despite its many laws and prohibitions, Shabbat can be transformed into the most uplifting day of the week; a day of spiritual warmth and blissful joy.  While every Jew is obligated to observe Shabbat in accordance with its many laws, each Jew can create their own personal Shabbat atmosphere, turning it into the high-point of their week.  The best way to spend the Shabbat, of course, is with family and friends; engaged in prayer and study, festive meals and companionship.  In any event, we need to remember that together with the fact that observance of the Shabbat demonstrates our belief in a Creator, it was also a gift given to us for our own spiritual benefit on the way out of Egypt – even pre-dating Sinai, and, therefore, needs to be observed with gratitude to the Amighty, “Zekher Le’ssiyat Missrayim” – in commemoration of the Exodus from Egypt.