Tuesday, May 31, 2011

242:1 - By Way of Introduction

By way of introduction to Hilchot Shabbat, I think it is important to take a look at…. the introductions to Hilchot Shabbat, provided by the Tur and the Beit Yosef at the beginning of siman 242.

The Tur opens his discussion quoting several passages from the Gemara (Shabbat 118b) that stress the importance of keeping and honoring Shabbat properly (translations are my own):

“R’ Yochanan said in the name of R’ Yosi: One who (properly) enjoys Shabbat is rewarded with boundless inheritance”
“R’ Nachman said: Such a person is even saved from oppression at the hands of foreign kingdoms”
"R’ Chiya bar Abba said in the name of R’ Yochanan: One who keeps all of the laws of Shabbat is forgiven for all of his sins, even if he is an idol worshiper”.
"R’ Yehuda said in the name of Rav: One who (properly) enjoys Shabbat is granted all the requests of his heart”

The Beit Yosef quotes Mahar”i Abohav who provides explanations to this list of rewards, as well as some important perspectives on Shabbat observance:

"…he is rewarded with boundless inheritance” – Since a person honoring Shabbat properly spends freely without boundaries in order to purchase the biggest and best for Shabbat, his reward is of a similar nature – inheritance and wealth without boundaries.

“…he is saved from oppression at the hands of foreign kingdoms”/“...he is granted all the requests of his heart” – His acceptance of the burden of Shabbat saves his from being burdened by foreign kingdoms. Furthermore, he is given anything his heart desires so that he will be able to then use these rewards for further Oneg Shabbat – enjoyment on Shabbat itself.

…he is forgiven for all of his sins, even if he is an idol worshiper” – This person’s attempt to learn and keep the Halachot of Shabbat properly is a clear indication that his idol worship is void of any real meaning or intention. There is no better or more fundamental sign of one’s belief in Hashem than the observance of Shabbat and the study of its halachot.

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