B"H
Thursday, Menachem Av 13, 5781 / July 22, 2021
The Torah reading this Shabbat, which is the first Shabbat after the fast of Tisha B’Av, is the second Parsha in the Book of Deuteronomy, Parshat Va’etchanan.
In this Parsha we have a repeat of the Ten Commandments, which were already recorded in the Book of Exodus.
Although the Ten Commandments are the same here as in the Book of Exodus, there are some variations in their wording.
One of the differences is in the commandment of observing Shabbat. In the Book of Exodus, the Torah says, “Rememberthe Shabbat to keep it holy.” Here the Torah states, “Guardthe Shabbat to keep it holy.”
Our sages say that when G-d said the Ten Commandments He said the twoexpressions of “Remember” and “Guard” in oneword. This is something which a human cannot do. The Jewish people at Mount Sinai heard both expressionstogether. However, when the Ten Commandments were recorded in the Torah they were written separately.
Q. What is the meaning of these two expressions “Remember” and “Guard” the day of Shabbat”?
A. There are many mitzvot pertaining to the observance of Shabbat. Some are mitzvot which require action; such as reciting the Kiddush over wine; then there are mitzvot which require us to refrainfrom actions, like refraining from work on Shabbat. The mitzvot which require action are represented by the word “Remember” (Zachor). The mitzvot which tells us to refrain on Shabbat from doing work, are represented by “Guard” the Shabbat (Shamor).
Q. What is the purpose of lighting the Shabbat candles?
A. Lighting the Shabbat candles is a Rabbinical mitzvah.The sages instituted to usher in the holy day of Shabbat with light, for light brings peace into the home. This mitzvah was given to the women in the home. However, if there is no woman in the home the man must light the candles. Although it is a Rabbinical mitzvah, yet, it is an especially important mitzvah to usher in Shabbat with light.
The story is told of a husband and wife who always quarreled when it came to lighting the Shabbat candles. He wanted her to use olive oil, like his mother did, and she wanted to use candles, which is what her mother used.
They finally came to Rabbi Chaim of Tzanz for his decision. The rabbi told them, “Our sages instituted the lighting of the Shabbat candles in order to bring peaceinto the Jewish home, sohow can you be fightingover the Shabbat candles?” He then turned to the husband and said, “Our sages gave the mitzvah of lighting the Shabbat candles to the women and it is herchoice to use whatever shewants.”
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY