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Shabbos: The Source of Blessing and Awakening
May 12th, 2025 / 14th of Iyar, 5785
"כל הלן שבעה ימים בלא חלום – נקרא רע"
The Gemara (Berachos 14a) teaches, ‘Anyone who goes seven days without a dream is called ‘bad,” as it says (Mishlei / Proverbs 19:23), ‘He shall lie down satisfied and not be visited with evil.’ Don’t read it as ‘satisfied’ (vesavea) but rather as ‘seven’ (vesheva).
The Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Galinsky asks, ‘What does it mean ‘don’t read it as ‘satisfied’? Isn’t that the written text? Can we simply change the reading at will?’
He explains this using the commentary of the Vilna Gaon (Gra): A person may be metaphorically ‘dreaming’ throughout the six days of the week—immersed in material pursuits, chasing money, believing in his own strength, and forgetting that it is G-d Who grants the ability to succeed. However, at the very least, on Shabbos, he should awaken to clarity and realize that during the week, he had been living in a dream. If even on Shabbos he doesn’t realize this, then he is truly called ‘bad’.
Shabbos as a Source of Blessing and Spiritual Clarity
Shabbos gives us an opportunity to pause from our bodily and emotional routines and to bond with our Creator—to bask in the Divine Presence and to receive a spiritual blessing that empowers us for the coming week.
As Talmud Yerushalmi (Moed Katan 3:4) expounds on the verse, ‘The blessing of HaShem brings wealth’ (Mishlei 10:22)—this refers to Shabbos, of which it is said, ‘And G-d blessed the Seventh Day.’
The Tosefta (Moed Katan 23b) also elaborates on this.
The Jewish People's Historic Devotion to Shabbos
The Chafetz Chaim once addressed a man who came for a blessing but was lax in mitzvah observance: ‘Why do you come to me? Go observe Shabbos, the source of blessing, and it will protect you!’
Our Sages (Shabbos 12a) said, ‘Shabbos can save someone,’ as Rashi explains, ‘If one honors it properly, he will be spared suffering.’ Conversely, one who desecrates Shabbos distances himself from blessing. Our Sages said (Gittin 38b), ‘Why do householders lose their wealth? Because they transfer property on Shabbos.’
Throughout generations, Jews took pride in observing Shabbos—even refusing to work on Shabbos at the cost of their livelihood. Many Jewish immigrants to America were fired weekly for not showing up to work on Saturday. Despite having young children and rent to pay, they courageously chose Shabbos over sustenance. In this merit, their children became Torah scholars.
Sadly, others gave in and continued working on Shabbos. This led to further decline—eventually to intermarriage and loss of Jewish identity. For Shabbos is the foundation of both material and spiritual blessing.
Sanctifying G-d’s Name on Shabbos – Rabbi Salman’s Story
It is told of the righteous Rabbi Salman Mutzafi ztz”l that in his youth, he worked as a bookkeeper for a wealthy man in Baghdad. One Shabbos, British businessmen arrived for an urgent business deal. The servants sent them to Rabbi Salman, who was in the Beis Midrash learning with the great kabbalist Rabbi Yehuda Petaya.
Rabbi Salman initially thought to refuse entirely, but then said to himself: Why send them away? Let me sanctify G-d’s name in public!
He dressed in his Shabbos attire—white robe and fine turban—and walked with them through the streets. In the office, he respectfully showed them his watch and said, ‘It is still Shabbos. I cannot discuss business until it ends. I am a Jew who observes G-d’s commandments.”
The visitors were astonished by his dignified and firm stance, and replied, ‘We respect your faith and will wait.’ Rabbi Salman returned to the Beis Midrash, rejoicing that he had sanctified G-d’s Name in public.
Why Shabbos Sometimes Feels Routine?
Shabbos is loftier than even Yom Kippur and is said to be ‘one sixtieth of the World to Come’ (Berachos 57b).
Yet people often treat holidays with more reverence than Shabbos. Rabbi Shimon Shkop ztz”l explained, ‘The themes of holidays are clearer—Pesach [Passover] celebrates the Exodus, Shavuos [Pentecost] is the Giving of the Torah, etc.—but the essence of Shabbos is less understood, leading to weaker emotional connection.’
Another cause is familiarity—since Shabbos comes weekly, we forget how precious it is.
The Midrash likens reading Hallel daily to blasphemy, because overuse dulls emotion (Shabbos 118b). The Meiri explains, ‘Repetition causes desensitization.’
How to Restore the Power of Shabbos – Study and Renewal?
To regain inspiration, we must:
Learn deeply about the meaning and purpose of Shabbos. Though we cannot fully grasp it, even partial understanding awakens appreciation.
Cultivate new ways to honor Shabbos. Each week, add something—a new dish, a fresh idea, a new custom. This keeps our hearts engaged.
The Yaavetz (Pirkei Avos 1:4) explains why in the Beis Hamikdash one had to exit through a different gate each time in order to avoid seeing the same path again, which would dull emotional impact of the experience. Only the spiritual prince could return the same way, as his wisdom kept his awe alive. From this we learn that those who are seeking spiritual growth must refresh their experience each Shabbos.
Excerpted and translated from Hebrew into English from Yam HaTorah by Rabbi Yosef Goldstein, Rabbi and Mussar Lecturer at Diaspora Yeshiva Toras Yisrael, Mount Zion, Jerusalem.
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