Parshat Ki Tisa

Dear STOCS Friend:

The Five Books of Moses mention the holiness of Shabbat at least twelve times. Hashem sought to instill within the Jewish people a deep spiritual connection, and Shabbat serves as a Divine gift from His treasury (Talmud Shabbat 10b). This gift is far more than a mere day of rest; it is an opportunity to strengthen one’s relationship with God. Fully and wholeheartedly observing Shabbat is a powerful key to redemption. 

Rabbi Zalman Zorotzkin in the book, Insights Into the Torah writes:  The Sabbath was not given to just individuals, but to a community, the Jewish People as a whole.  The Sabbath is the Jewish People’s mate.” 

As a shul Rabbi, one of my greatest aspirations is for every congregation member to observe Shabbas. Our sages teach, “Rav Yehuda said in Rav’s name: Had Israel kept the first Sabbath, no nation or tongue would have held dominion over them.” Just imagine the profound impact on our lives and the world if, for 25 hours, Jews everywhere embraced the beauty and sanctity of the Holy Sabbath.

Nadia Rawls, who became a Sabbath observer, writes: I was transported into a parallel world—transposed right on top of this one—whose grandeur I could never have predicted. Finally, I understood why Abraham Joshua Heschel called Shabbat “a palace in time.”

I believe that Heschel’s perspective on Shabbat emphasizes moving forward. The way we observe Shabbat profoundly influences the six days that follow. On Friday evening, we welcome the Shabbat Bride, and the spiritual depth of the day accompanies us throughout the week until we reunite with her again the following Friday.

I hope you have a fulfilling, meaningful Shabbas, and enjoy your time with the Shabbat Bride!

Purim Samaech!

Rabbi Evan Shore