Parshat VaEschanan 5780
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in this week’s parsha the Aseres HaDibros, the ten commandments, for the second time. The first time the Aseres Dibros are brought, in parshat Yisro, the reason brought for the mitzvah of Shabbos, is (Shmos, Chapter 20, Pasuk 11), Ki Sheshes Yamim Asah Hashem es HaShamayim V’es Ha’Aretz Vayanach Bayom Ha’Shvi’i…Al Kein Beirach Hashem es Yom Ha’Shabbos Vayekadsheihu. The reason brought is that Shabbos commemorates the creation of the world. Hashem created the world in six days and rested on Shabbos. Therefore, He sanctified Shabbos and obligated us to keep it as well.
However, in our parsha, the reason given for Shabbos is Yetzias Mitzrayim. The pasuk says (Chapter 5, Pasuk 15), V’Zacharta Ki Eved Hayisa B’Eretz Mitzrayim Va’Yotziacha Hashem Elokecha Misham BeYad Chazakah U’Bizro’a Netuyah, Al Kein Tzivcha Hashem Elokecha es Yom Ha’Shabbos. In our parsha, there is no mention of the creation of the world, just that Hashem took us out of Egypt. Why is this the reason brought in our parsha?
The Gemara in Megillah 31B teaches, Mishneh Torah Moshe M’Pi Atzmo Amran. Sefer Devarim was taught by Moshe Rabbeinu from his perspective. Perhaps this enables us to explain the difference. The Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh teaches that in Yisro we are told the reason for Shabbos. Shabbos acknowledges Gd as the Creator of the world. But in our parsha, in Mishneh Torah, Moshe explains how Shabbos relates to us; what obligates us specifically in the mitzvah. Since we personally experienced Yetzias Mitzrayim, this instilled within us the Emunah in Hashem as Creator of the world and obligates us in the mitzvah.
This distinction is also expressed in the wording in the Torah. Since Hashem created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, He sanctified Shabbos. Hence the pasuk we quoted above states, Al Kein Beirach; this is why Shabbos was sanctified. But in our parsha the reason for the obligation of Bnei Yisrael specifically is being taught. And this is why in our parsha the pasuk says Al Kein Tzivah; this is why Hashem commanded us. Yisro explains the reason for Shabbos, while Va’Eschanan explains the reason we were obligated.
The Sfas Emes learns in a similar manner to the Ohr HaChaim, but adds an additional dimension. He teaches that Yetzias Mitzrayim gives us a way to connect to Shabbos. Lest one say that the whole notion of the holiness of Shabbos is beyond us; it’s too great for me to understand or relate to, the Torah is teaching us otherwise. Yetzias Mitzrayim gives us a connection to the Kedushah of Shabbos.
How does it connect us to Shabbos?
Every week, when we go from the six days of the week to Shabbos, we are recreating and reliving the Geulah from Mitzrayim. We go from being slaves to our physical lives and experience the Geulah of Shabbos when we are truly Avdei Hashem, slaves to Hashem. Just as when we left Mitzrayim we were slaves to Hashem, so too on Shabbos. We refrain from doing any physical work and rely exclusively on Hashem. Our experience during Yetzias Mitzrayim not only confirms our belief in Hashem but informs us in what it means to keep Shabbos and rely on Hashem.
This is particularly poignant and meaningful for us on Shabbos Nachamu. Even though we were only yesterday sitting on the floor and mourning the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, our Emunah and servitude to Hashem enables us to get up off the floor and daven for a better tomorrow. And it is precisely this gift which we received at Yetzias Mitzrayim.
Good Shabbos
Print this article