Welcome to Embrace Shabbat.
The commentary Ahavat Eitam on the Ein Yaakov asks: from where does the Gemara equate kavod Shabbat to inviting guests? Perhaps Shabbat is more important than guests, as it says גדולה הכנסת אורחים מהקבלת פני השכינה, Hachnasat Orchim is even greater than accepting the shechina, but it doesn’t say that Shabbat is greater than accepting the shechina! Perhaps a person should prepare lavish meals and rearrange furniture for a guest, and not for Shabbat! How is this principle derived from the two stories brought in the Gemara?
Tikunei Zohar teaches that if a person accepts their “Shabbat guest,” which is their neshama yetaira, with a smile and excitement when their soul leaves the world, they will be accepted in shamayim with a similar excitement. In other words, the way that a person treats their neshama yetaira in this world will be mirrored in the next world. Accepting guests is similar to קבלת פני השכינה and the Zohar compares accepting Shabbat to hachnasat orchim.
On Shabbat, we go back to the level of Adam HaRishon before his neshama yetaira was tainted by sin. Therefore, we welcome the “new you,” the pure soul that “visits” our home for Shabbat. Middah kneged middah, the way that a person receives their soul in this world on Shabbat is how they will be received when their soul returns in the next world.
Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, the Rosh Yeshiva of the Mir Yeshiva, had a weekly chavrusa with a young man. A conflict arose and he was no longer able to learn with the boy during their regular time slot, so Rav Nosson Tzvi asked if the young man would be able to learn on Shabbat afternoon instead. Although the boy much preferred to lie down and rest, he agreed. On the first Shabbat of their new session time, the boy sat with Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, yawning and exhausted after eating such a heavy meal. However, the Rosh Yeshiva, who was older and weaker, learned with the same excitement and vigor as always! Finally, the boy mustered up the courage to ask, “Rebbi, where do you get the strength to learn like this? I am half your age and in better shape, but I am falling asleep!” Rav Nosson Tzvi answered that on Shabbat, his neshama yetira comes down as his guest. What would happen if he would return after Shabbat and the only thing he had to report is that he had some extra food and drink?! The neshama wants to be fed with words of Torah and we must feed a guest with what he is used to, as the Mesillat Yesharim says, הנפש לא תמלא, the soul is never fulfilled.
The Jewish soul and body can be compared to a princess (soul) who is married to a farmer (body). As much as the farmer tries to please his princess, it just won’t be enough. He has no idea where she is coming from and what she is missing. She doesn’t want the bowl of oats that he lovingly prepares for her; she wants to have caviar and a rib steak! So too, the craving of the soul persists. The soul cannot be excited with caviar and rib steak! It is yearning for something so much deeper and loftier. The soul wants to learn! The soul wants some Gemara! Every week, we have this guest that comes into our hearts called our soul, and we must feed it appropriately.
I learned by Rav Wolbe in Beer Yaakov when it was a deserted wilderness. There were some orange trees and a small, ancient shopping center that was around from the 1930s, but nothing much else available. There was also a nearby home for the mentally ill, and from time to time some of the patients would wander their way into and around the yeshiva, and it could become a little scary.
Have a Shabbat Shalom.