Parshat Beshalach 5778
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in this week's parsha the parsha of the "Mahn". Included in the parsha of the "Mahn" is the mitzvah of Shabbos. This is because the "Mahn" didn't fall on Shabbos and a double portion fell on Erev Shabbos instead. Moshe tells Bnei Yisrael (Chapter 16, Pasuk 29), Re'u Ki Hashem Nasan Lachem HaShabbos, See, Hashem has given you Shabbos. The commentators ask, why does Moshe use the word "See" in commanding the mitzvah of Shabbos. It would seem more appropriate to use the word "De'u", know or be aware of the fact that Hashem has commanded you the Shabbos. What have they actually seen that the word Re'u is used in this pasuk?
Rashi answers the question by pointing out that that Moshe Rabbeinu was rebuking Bnei Yisrael for going out to look for "Mahn" on Shabbos. Moshe was saying "Re'u", you have visual proof that Hashem has commanded you the Shabbos. A miracle occurred and a double portion fell on Erev Shabbos. Clearly Hashem has commanded you to not go out and collect the "Mahn" on Shabbos.
The Sfas Emes gives a different explanation. He brings the Tosfos on Shabbos 87B which asks on the Gemara which states that when the Torah says "Ka'sher Tzivcha", as you were already commanded by the mitzvah of Shabbos in the Aseres HaDibros, it is referring to Marah. We read in our parsha (Chapter 15, Pasuk 25), Sham Sam Lo Chok U'Mishpat V'Sham Nisahu. Rashi teaches that in Marah where Bnei Yisrael complained about the bitter waters, Hashem taught them some mitzvos, one of them being the mitzvah of Shabbos. Why does the Gemara say we were commanded the mitzvah of Shabbos at Marah, we see later in our parsha by the receiving of the "Mahn" Bnei Yisrael were commanded explicitly the mitzvah of Shabbos. Why doesn't the Gemara say "Ka'asher Tzivcha" refers to the command of Shabbos by the receiving of the "Mahn"?
Tosfos gives an answer in the Gemara in Shabbos but the Sfas Emes suggests a different answer. The actual command of Shabbos took place in Marah as the Gemara says in explaining the words "Ka'asher Tzivcha" by the Aseres HaDibros. But by the "Mahn", Shabbos wasn't given as a command; rather it was given as a present. Hence the words in the pasuk Re'u Ki Hashem Nasan Lachem HaShabbos; emphasis on the word Nasan. Hashem is giving you a present. As the Gemara in Shabbos 10B states, Matanah Tovah Li B'Beis Genazai, Shabbos Shemah, I have a special present for you in my storehouse and it's called Shabbos.
What is the significance of Shabbos being referred to as a present? The Sfas Emes teaches in the name of the Chidushei HaRim that when one sells an object to another person, his main interest is in receiving his financial compensation. But when one gives a present to someone, he wants that person to be able to enjoy the present to the fullest. The Gemara in Baba Basra 71A teaches that one who gives a person a present Nosen B'Ayin Yafeh, he gives it in a generous manner. If he gives his friend a pit, he gives him a derech as well; included in the present is an approach and a pathway to the pit as well.
Similarly by the "Mahn", when Hashem gave Bnei Yisrael Shabbos, He gave it to them with a derech, i.e. a means to approach and benefit from Shabbos as well. And what is the pathway to appreciate the present of Shabbos? The pasuk says earlier in the parsha (Chapter 16, Pasuk 5), V'Hayah Bayom Ha'Shishi V'Heichinu Eis Asher Yavi'u, Bnei Yisrael are commanded to prepare for Shabbos on Erev Shabbos. Though one must always prepare before doing mitzvos, the only mitzvah where the Torah specifically commands preparation is regarding Shabbos. And Rav Pinkus explains in his sefer Shabbos Malkasa that to the extent that one prepares himself for Shabbos, that is the extent to which he will able to appreciate and feel the light of Shabbos. Only by preparing can one truly appreciate and experience the light of Shabbos. This is the "Ayin Yafah" with which Hashem gave Bnei Yisrael the present of Shabbos.
This is why the pasuk says by Shabbos in the parsha of "Mahn" Re'u Ki Hashem Nasan Lachem HaShabbos. By Marah they were commanded some of the laws of Shabbos. For the laws the appropriate term is knowledge. But by the "Mahn" Shabbos was being given as a present. Moshe was teaching how to appreciate Shabbos and how to see the light of Shabbos. Therefore Moshe says Re'u; I want you to know how to appreciate Shabbos. The same Gemara in Shabbos 10B teaches Hanosein Matanah Le'Chaveiro Tzarich Le'Hodi'o, the one who gives a present to his friend must inform him. By the "Mahn", Hashem has Moshe teach Bnei Yisrael just how precious the present of Shabbos is and that the only way to feel this is by preparing properly for Shabbos.
Good Shabbos
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