Spark of Jewish Experience

Many of us have dealt with people who are never satisfied. These people often complain and are critical about everything. They’re not happy with anyone, including themselves for that matter. I guess it’s impossible to not be subjected to this kind of negative energy of these personalities. Perhaps it comes with the territory; territory called – LIFE. Does this sound familiar?

           Rabbi Simcha Bunim (1767-1826) was a beloved Chassidic Rabbi whose many disciples would flock to be with their Rebbi. They would see him during the week or make arrangements to spend a Shabbat with him. One such devoted chassid, a very bitter and critical individual, traveled to see Rabbi Simcha but he arrived after Shabbat was over. When the Rebbi asked  where he had been, he replied with an attitude that he had actually been detained so many times that he had to spend Shabbat elsewhere. The Rebbi listened to this harsh man’s story and told him the following: “Shabbat is actually a very kind and gracious host and it treats its guests with dignity. For example, when Rosh Chodesh (1st day of the New moon) comes on Shabbat, Shabbat is kind enough to give up both the regular reading of the MAFTIR (Torah portion) and the MUSAF prayers to its guest – Rosh Chodesh. When YOM TOV (holiday) occurs with all its joy and splendor, Shabbat not only steps aside for the reading of the MAFTIR and its recitation of MUSSAF, it also gives a way for the reading of the Torah itself.
When Yom Kippur comes and brings with it the wonderful opportunities of pardon and forgiveness, not only does Shabbat give a way to the Mussaf prayer and Torah reading, but even the Shabbat meals themselves are set aside in Yom Kippur’s honor. However, when the somber Tisha Be Av with its unwelcome sadness and depression tries to come on Shabbat, a different attitude prevails. The Shabbat says: “No, you wait and come after Shabbat!! Perhaps you’re not making it here this Shabbat is a message from above! Unhappiness, and those who bring it are not welcome until the joy of Shabbat is over. Change your ways and Shabbat will welcome you as well!”
What’s all the hoopla that the day of Shabbat should be happy, special and relaxing? What about Sunday? Perhaps, with one’s hectic schedule, make the day of rest every other week? Why must we have the constraints of not turning on the lights or going for a drive?
The answer is that it is physically installed within us to Relax on Shabbat!

       Augustus the emperor of ancient Rome wanted to improve the economic conditions in his time. So he implemented 10 days a week instead of our customary 7. The Roman emperors operated on chutspah and lunacy. (By the way, ever wonder why August has 31 days, as opposed to 30?- it ruins the sequence of every other month having 31 days?! This is because Augustus was jealous of  Julius Ceaser (July), who got 31 days in his month while he, Augustus, would only have 30. After some time of the 10 day work load, the authorities saw – the efficiency rate decreased! They realized that it’s built in in every human the propensity to rest every seventh day!
Let’s ask another question found in the Zohar about Shabbat and then we’ll be able to shed some light on the topic of Shabbat…
It says VAYEH’VARECH HASHEM ET YOM HASHEVI’EEY-G-d blessed the seventh day. If we go out to work from Sunday to Friday – shouldn’t G-d bless the workdays instead? Why is He blessing the day of rest?
In this week’s parsha is the focal point of not performing work on Shabbat. It’s interesting because the language the Torah uses is MELACHA-work. The reason why  the other, more popular word – AVODA is not used is because, linguistically, although in English they both mean “work”, they translate differently in Hebrew. Any act can be called AVODA, even if it involves no skill and changes or improves nothing. Such acts include carrying stones or running.

By contrast, by and large, MELACHA applies only where change is effected for the purpose of improvement. Such acts include building, destroying in order to rebuild and erasing in order to write. Study and knowledge must proceed MELACHA. We must know – when and with what tool to work. It includes every means of improving the world!

 

One should know, there is a very important fundamental concept in Judaism. The Torah writes VEH’HALACHTA BEDRACHAV-and we should follow in (G-d’s) ways.  Therefore we can deduce,  to the area of creativity as well: G-d is a Creator and therefore each of us must be a creator like Him. G-d said, “Let there be light,” and so we have to bring light where there is darkness; He created a world, so too must we summon all our powers of creativity to advance civilization – be it in medicine, engineering, technology or any other human endeavor. We must use our creativity and ingenuity to improve the world for the benefit of all humankind. In so doing, we imitate G-d; just as He is the Creator, we become creators as well.

       We learn – the Torah forbade on Shabbat, by and large, only creative work.

      Rabbi Yehuda – the prince, who was the author of the MISHNA, happened to be good friends with Mark Anthony, the Roman High in command. One Friday night Anthony made a spontaneous surprise visit to Rav Yehuda. Rav Yehuda said: “Please, come, join me for Shabbat dinner”. Anthony was amazed and delighted at the delicious soup that he had at the meal. He asked Rav Yehuda: “This is the most delicious soup I had ever tasted. What’s  the recipe?

       Rav Yehuda replied:  “If you’d like – my chefs will give over to your chefs the recipe after Shabbat”.

       After Shabbat Rav Yehuda’s chefs did exactly as instructed. Six Months later, though, Mark Anthony visited Rav Yehuda, however he was very cold and distant. Rav Yehuda asked: “What’s wrong?” Anthony replied: “I could not duplicate the delicious taste of the soup. Even though my chefs duplicated the exact  instructions, it didn’t come out the same. What was the missing ingredient?” He was almost demanding!

      Rav Yehuda smiled and said: “The missing ingredient is Shabbat!”

      What does the word –  VAYINAFASH mean?  VAYINAFASH means – to REVIVE! We revive – what is important in life!

Let’s explain: the key word is creativity! There are two kinds of creativity, external and internal, and both are important. Sometimes we need to stop the external activity so that we can be internally focused. The internal creativity is to create a bond to our family and brethren. It’s a chance for unification and understanding.

       Judaism is all about the family! Our busy schedules, in hectic New York, doesn’t allow us to communicate properly with the ones we love.  If one ever notices a family sitting together at the dinner table during the week, it’s rare that they’re all together to begin with, everyone is in their own world. One is entranced in the laptop that’s placed on the table; one is talking on the cell phone to his friend. HELLO!! Is this Family Time? No, its just a bunch of individuals eating at a table!

       At the Shabbat table, if done properly, there are no electronic gadgets. One is forced to look at the person next to him. As a matter of fact, he might even listen to what he or she has to say. WOW!! On Shabbat we are not tied to a schedule, therefore, prone to connect to the family!

       We learn – when our forefather, the newlywed Yitzchak, brought his bride, Rivka, into his deceased mother’s tent, the candles in the tent were re-lit once again! It was lit from one Friday night to the next! The Torah hints – the “family” was re-established and revived through the building relationships of Shabbat!

       The Shabbat table is all about love! We read,  before the beginning of the meal, ESHET CHAIL, woman of valor, written by King Solomon (Shlomo). Shlomo took excerpts from the eulogy recited by Avraham to his wife Sarah. The tradition is 4000 years old! We see again, it’s designed  to enhance the love between husband and wife!

       Shabbat, though, is not the end means. If one communicates at the Shabbat table with his children and gives them the proper CHINUCH-education, then the family lineage, the Torah Mesorah, the Torah message continues!

       For this reason G-d blessed the seventh day – VAYEVARECH! IF ONE HAS PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING WITH HIS FAMILY AND FELLOW JEWS ON THIS DAY, THEN HE WILL BE BLESSED ETERNALLY THROUGH HIS POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON HIS CHILDREN AND HIS BRETHREN! For this reason – THE SOURCE OF THE BLESSINGS – BRACHA- FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK IS FROM SHABBAT!

      Once, when I was a senior in high school, many of my friends were planning on going to the Billy Joel concert. Many were planning to attend including a few girls of interest. This artist was the hottest ticket back then. The problem was it was on a Friday night! I was Shommer Shabbat! I knew – my father wouldn’t approve of me going, however, he was not the type to force me to stay home. He was not like that. During the moment of making a decision, I kept on envisioning my father with a disappointed look if I went. I decided to STAY HOME and have a Shabbat dinner with the folks! Nevertheless, I was upset, to say the least, and it showed a bit. I felt miserable in the beginning of the night. However, as the night progressed, with my parents loving warmth and good food, I began to applaud my decision!

       Shabbat table has that effect –  if done right!