If we would ask people the question, “Which is the holiest day if the year in Judaism?” most people would immediately point to Yom Kippur. But this is wrong.
The holiest day of the year comes every single week – Shabbat.
The punishment prescribed by the Torah for desecrating Shabbat is harsher than the punishment prescribed for desecrating Yom Kippur. And on Shabbat we call seven men to the Torah, whereas on Yom Kippur only six men are called. Because yes, Shabbat is holier than Yom Kippur.
But when we open Parashat Pinhas, we find something surprising.
This parashah tells of the special sacrifices that were offered in the Bet Ha’mikdash on special occasions – on Shabbat and the holidays. And when we read this section, we see that Shabbat had the fewest number of sacrifices – just two sheep. Other holidays had sacrifices consisting of seven or more animals, but Shabbat had just two. Why?
The answer has to do with the essence of Shabbat, what its true definition is.
The Gemara describes Shabbat as מעין עולם הבא – an experience resembling in some very small measure the next world. What does this mean?
Our world is tough. Every single person who is alive struggles with some big problem. Without exception. Life is challenging. But the next world is perfect. It is ideal. We have no idea what עולם הבא is, but we know that it’s a perfect existence.
This is what we are to feel, in some small measure, on Shabbat. This is the day when we forget about the problems, challenges, difficulties, fears and concerns of the workweek, and just enjoy the beautiful blessings of life.
Shabbat, then, is the merging of two worlds – our difficult world, and the perfect world of עולם הבא.
This is why everything on Shabbat comes in pairs. We have two hallot on the table. We sing a special song מזמור שיר – two different expressions which both mean “song.” And this is why the special Shabbat sacrifice consisted of two animals – because this is what Shabbat is about: the merging of two worlds, experiencing the perfect world of עולם הבא here in this very imperfect world.
Many people make a mistake about what Shabbat is about. To explain this mistake, let’s consider the difference between an old, comfortable pair of jeans, and a brand-new designer suit. People enjoy wearing the old pair of jeans, which makes them feel loose and relaxed. But when they wear their new suit, they act differently. They are very careful not to get it dirty and not to wear it out. They treat it with a great deal of respect.
Some people treat Shabbat as an old pair of jeans, as an opportunity to just relax and do whatever they want. But this isn’t what Shabbat is. Shabbat is like an expensive suit. It is מעין עולם הבא. It is from a higher place.
The Gemara calls Shabbat a precious gift that G-d gave us from His “treasury.” It is something exquisite and regal. And it needs to be treated with respect.
There are two mitzvot on Shabbat – עונג שבת, and כבוד שבת. This means we are required to both enjoy Shabbat, and to respect Shabbat. Certainly, we are supposed to enjoy fine food, socialize and rest. But we are also supposed to show Shabbat honor, by dressing in a dignified way, acting in a dignified way, and doing dignified things.
G-d-willing, if we treat Shabbat properly, then we will be privileged to experience a true מעין עולם הבא, enjoying the unparalleled peace, joy and serenity of the next world right here in our world, amen.