B"H

Monday, Shevat 26, 5784 / February 5, 2024

The fourth of the Ten Commandments, which we read this past Shabbat, is the commandment to observe Shabbat.  

The Ten Commandments are mentioned twice in the Torah. The first time in Parshat Yitro. The second time they are mentioned in Deuteronomy, at the end of their forty year journey in the desert, where Moshe repeats many of the events which took place during their forty years in the desert.

In Parshat Yitro the commandment of Shabbat is, “Remember the day of Shabbat to keep it holy.”  In Deuteronomy the Torah uses the expression, “Guard the day of Shabbat to keep it holy.”

Q.   What is the reason for the two expressions, “Remember” and “Guard”?

A.  On Shabbat there are positive mitzvot which we perform, and prohibitions which we must refrain from doing.  “Remember the day of Shabbat to keep it holy” refers to the positive mitzvot we do on Shabbat. “Guard the day of Shabbat” is a commandment to refrain from doing what we are prohibited on Shabbat.

Q.   Why do we recite the Kiddush over wine on Shabbat?

A.  According to our sages, the forbidden fruit which Adam and Eve ate was a grape. Adam and Eve were created on Friday, and they ate the forbidden fruit that same day. That night Adam and Eve entered into Shabbat, the first Shabbat after creation, stained from their sin. As a correction for their sin, our sages established that we sanctify the Shabbat by reciting the Kiddush over wine.

Q.Why do we cover the two Challot when reciting the Kiddush on Shabbat?

A. The two challot remind us of the manna which came from heaven every day. On Shabbat the manna didn’t come. Instead, a double portion descended from heaven each Friday – one portion for Friday and one for Shabbat. The manna came with a layer of dew underneath and a layer of dew which covered the manna on top. Being that the two challot are a reminder of the manna, we place the challa on a tablecloth and a cover over it, to resemble the manna as it was found in the desert.

Q.  We usher in Shabbat with the lighting of candles. There are various customs as to how many candles one lights. A woman who is single lights one candle. The minimum for a married woman is two candles. Some light a candle for each member of the family. What is the reason for the two candles?   

A.  As mentioned above, there are two expressions concerning the commandment of Shabbat: “Remember the day of Shabbat to keep it holy,” and, “Guard the day of Shabbat to keep it holy.”  The two candles are in honor of the two expressions which G-d used regarding the holy day of Shabbat.

MAY WE ALL STAY UNITED IN PRAYER FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL. MAY G-D HAVE MERCY UPON THEM AND HAVE THEM RELEASED FROM CAPTIVITY NOW.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY