Some people believe that Shabbat means only the celebration part of it. They have festive meals, sing beautiful songs… but do not keep the laws of Shabbat.
Other people concentrate on very strict keeping of the laws of Shabbat, but (sometimes to such a degree that) they do not enjoy the Shabbat.
The most people combine both approaches into a harmonious whole.
The ten commandments are read twice in the yearly cycle of קריאת התורה.
The first time is in Parshat Yitro, and the second time – this week, in Parshat Vaetchanan. There are a few differences in the text, in particular in relation to Shabbat:
In Yitro, we read: (Shemot Chapter 20,8) : Zachor Et Yom Hashabbat = Remember the day of Shabbat…
In Va’Etchanan we read this Shabbos : (Devarim chapter 5,12): Shamor Et Yom Hashabbat = Guard the day of Shabbat…
Our sages tell us that “Zachor and Shamor were said (by G-d) at once”. What does this mean, how can one say two different words “at once” ?
I think there is a beautiful meaning to this idea: Some people believe that Shabbat means only the celebration part of it. They have festive meals, sing beautiful songs… but do not keep the laws of Shabbat.
Other people concentrate on very strict keeping of the laws of Shabbat, but (sometimes to such a degree that) they do not enjoy the Shabbat.
Hashem tells us Remembering the Shabbat (celebrating it) and Guarding the Shabat (keeping the laws) are both as important. And this is the real meaning of:
“Zachor and Shamor were said (by G-d) at once”.
Good Shabbos!!!
Rabbi Chaim Michael Biberfeld, Tschortkov Rav Stamford Hill
