Welcome to Embrace Shabbat.
The Gemara in Masechet Shabbat 118b famously
teaches:
כל המענג את השבת, נותנים לו נחלה בלי מצרים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר:
וְאז תתענג על יהוה והרכבתיך … והאכלתיך נחלת יעקב אביך״.
Whoever
delights in Shabbat will get an inheritance without boundaries, as it says,
“then you will gladden yourself on G-d … and you will enjoy the heritage of
your father Yaakov.” (Many recite this passuk as an introduction to Kiddush on
Shabbos day).
The commentator Anaf Yosef on the Ein Yaakov
asks, “What are the mechanics behind this reward?”
He explains that there are two kinds of people
that work for a living. One works hard in his business and believes that it is
his own strength and force that make him successful. While such a person
observes the halachot of Shabbat, it is not an oneg for him because he becomes frustrated by his inability to work
Because his hishtadlut for parnassah stops, and he suffers through Shabbat.
Such a person has boundaries on his parnassah and abilities, and will not have
the blessings of Shabbat.
The second man that knows that his work during
the week doesn’t really accomplish anything on its own. He works because it is
Hashem’s command, but knows that Hashem is behind his success. Therefore, when
Hashem tells him not to work on Shabbat, he is thrilled! Why should he work
when he doesn’t have to?! For such a person, Shabbat is an Oneg and nachat ruach for him. In fact, his
enjoyment of Shabbat indicates that even when working during the week, he is
relying on G-d in his life. When a person fully relies on G-d, they are “בלתי גבולי”- without bounds- because
HaKadosh Baruch Hu is without bounds.
The Chovot HaLevavot teaches in the beginning of Shaar Bitachon that when a person
relies on others, they are limited by the abilities of that person. If one
relies on a doctor with a 70% success rate, they will only be able to achieve a
70% success rate. But if they rely on G-d, their success will have no
boundaries.
Observing Shabbat is an indication that a
person is relying on G-d, Who has no boundaries. Therefore, the reward of an
“inheritance without boundaries” is a perfect middah k’neged middah.
What is special about Yaakov Avinu that he
singled out as the father of Bitachon?
Yaakov went through more challenges than any
of the Avot. He experienced the challenge of Yosef, Dinah, Esav, and Lavan. He
invested so much hishtadlut, but at the same time he realized that HaKadosh
Baruch Hu was making everything happen.
When we keep Shabbat, we connect ourselves to Yaakov Avinu who has an unlimited
inheritance. Therefore, it is not enough to physically keep Shabbat, but וקראת לשבת עונג, we have to enjoy Shabbat.
It has to be a delight! A person should not be waiting to get back to work and
feel that Shabbat is interfering with their plans. They must understand that
hishtadlut doesn’t accomplish anything, so if they are handed a “paid
vacation,” they should enjoy it! A person’s attitude toward Shabbat indicates
their bitachon level and whether their success will be with or without
boundaries.
Have a wonderful day and a Shabbat Shalom.
