Shabbos menucha ala Mash

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Every Shabbos during Mincha in our tefilla we define the essence of Shabbos and the menucha it brings. Let me just share some thoughts on a small portion of this tefilla.

Menuchas ahava u’nedavar – ‘a rest of love and of giving’. This is an all encompassing energy and love for Shabbos. The totality of the person is overcome with love towards the day and the connection with Hashem it inspires. It is a love of giving, of giving of oneself. It is a giving not because we are required to, but because we want to.

Emunas emes v’emunah – ‘a rest of truth and faith’. The mundane world can at times be enslaving. Refraining from work and its stress can be liberating. It enables us to be more truthful with ourselves and others. The Yerushalami tells us that an ‘am ha’aretz’ (an ignorant person who has chosen not to learn Torah) who is not believed during the week to tell you that the food he sold you was ma’asered, is believed if asked on Shabbos. Even an am ha’aretz will not lie on Shabbos. A rest of faith. We cease to exercise control of nature, (ie. not completing an electrical circuit by turning on a light) testifies to the creation of the cosmos. By refraining from work, malacha, we invigorate our emunah.

Emunas shalom v’shalva – ‘a rest of peace and tranquility’. On Shabbos we refrain from discussing our material needs or professional concerns. When our speech and minds are free from such thoughts we can focus on spiritual growth. This enables a certain peace of mind. All the blessings of a material world lack meaning without peace of mind. The day of rest enables us to get more in touch with ourselves. The close connection to Hashem and our neshama yeseira affords us a sense of tranquility.

Veheshket v’betach - ‘quiet and trustful’. Without the tension and stress of daily occupations we can appreciate an inner quietness which enables us to better hear our spiritual beings. The end product is a renewed trust in Hashem and His hashgacha, His role in our lives.

Menuchas shelaima she’atah rotzeh ba – ‘a rest of completeness and perfection that You want’. Not for Hashem’s sake but for ours. The rest of Shabbos is the rest of self completion. We become whole with ourselves.

But Shabbos menucha does not come by itself. It requires effort and avodah. If we carefully observe the laws of Shabbos, if we are careful even with our speech and make the efforts to achieve this menucha we will find just how meaningful and precious Shabbos can be. May all of our Yeshiva feel the specialness of Shabbos this week in Geula, in Yerushalayim and may all of our alumni and friends feel a very special Shabbos wherever you may be.

Many thanks for those who responded to our last email.

Best regards and wishes for a good Shabbos,

Mash