For ages Jews have kept the Shabbat, this is our stamp, but the truth is that for ages the Shabbat has kept the Jews.
Everything we do in preparation for Shabbat is counted as a merit for us. From inviting guests, food shopping, preparing the food, cleaning the home, setting the table and wearing beautiful and clean clothes are counted as Mitzvahs. Rabbi Nahman said: “every hot shower you take during the week are voluntary, but the one you take on Friday is a Mitzvah! (Shabbat 25b)
In this week’s Parasha “Vayshlach”, Jacob is scared to meet his brother Eisav and he says a heartfelt plea to G-d in which he says to G-d: “you have given me so much that I’m scared that my merits have diminished.” What is he saying here?
The way in which the world works is that G-d gives us opportunities to gain merits through our actions by keeping the 613 Mitzvahs. Every time we do a mitzvah we gain points and merits. Jacob was scared because he felt he had more than what he had earned.
So everything we do in honor for Shabbat gives us tremendous merits and blessings.
Next time you buy flowers to adorn your Shabbat table or buy a new dress for Shabbat say “this is in honor of Shabbat (Lichvod Shabat Kodesh).”
And may we feel and see the power of this great merit given to us.
Shabbat Shalom
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