Welcome to Embrace Shabbat.
In his sefer Yefei LaLev (nefesh yetira b’Shabbat, letter 13), Rabbi Yitzchak Palagi quotes three segulot for a long life: lighting Shabbat candles with olive oil; being מענג את השבת, delighting in Shabbat (Kav HaChaim, Rav Chaim Palagi), and using wine for Kiddush on Friday night (Pirkei d’Rebbe Eliezer).
Rabbi Palagi explains the source of these three segulot, based on the Sforno in Parshat Yitro. After listing the first five commandments, the Torah writes: למען יאריכון ימיך, so that you many live a long life. Many ascribe this reward to the last of the commandments: Kibbud Av v’Em. However, the Sforno explains that the reward of a long life is attributed to any of the first five commandments. While it may seem like למען יאריכון ימיך only applies to the last of the five, these commandments all involve kavod Hashem, which is rewarded with אריכות ימים. Therefore, Shemirat Shabbat also has the reward of אריכות ימים!
Furthermore, he quotes Beraishit Rabba (11:4) who says that Rabbi Yishmael bar Rabbi Yosi asked Rebbe why the people in Bavel live for such a long life. Rebbe explained that the people in Chutz LaAretz live in the zechut of Kibbud Shabbat, respecting Shabbat and Yom Tov.
This is hinted to in the word שבת, which can be an acronym for שנים בזכותו תרבה, in the merit of Shabbat you will live many years. (Similarly, Sefardim have the custom to say תזכו לשנים רבות during the High Holiday season.) Shabbat also can stand for שנים בעבורו תוסיף, because of Shabbat, you will have years added to your life.
While these segulot apply all year long, they are especially relevant during this High Holiday season. At a time that we are pleading with G-d for our lives and are begging to be written in the Book of Life, let us take advantage of this secret to a long life: Shabbat! We can utilize these three segulot to show our respect for Shabbat and kavod Hashem.:
- Many people make kiddush on Friday night on “Kiddush Wine,” a cheap bottle of sweet wine that you would not serve at a wedding. Until around 30-40 years ago, Jews were not wine connoisseurs; there was just no good Kosher wine available! Now that we have so many options, it is proper to honor Kiddush with a respectable bottle on Friday night.
- Light Shabbat candles with olive oil. If your wife is insistent on lighting with candles, you shouldn’t get into a shalom bayit issue over switching to olive oil, but this is another way to beautify Shabbat. The Arizal teaches that the husband should be the one to set up the Shabbat candles. (The Artscroll Eidut Mizrach siddur includes a prayer for men to say before setting up the candles. That is how important it is!) If a husband would like to take on this segulah, he should tell his wife that he will commit himself to setting up the glasses, buying the oil, and putting in the wicks- there is no extra hassle for the wife! All she needs to do is light them!
- Delight in Shabbat! There are many ways to be מענג את השבת, whether through learning, sleeping, or eating.
Have a wonderful day and Shabbat Shalom.