Shabbat is not merely an individual’s obligation, but rather, it is a time for the community to come together.
By Rabbi Ari Enkin, Rabbinic Director, United with Israel
This week’s Torah portion is “Veyakhel” (Exodus 35:1-38:20) and in it we read (yet again!) about the construction of the Mishkan, the portable Tabernacle.
The reading opens up with Moses assembling the entire nation and he teaches them about the different labors that are forbidden to be done on Shabbat, as it says …These are the things that God commanded, to do them.” The word “these” in Hebrew equals 39 which is an allusion to the 39 different labors that are forbidden on Shabbat.
But the question is asked: If Shabbat is all about “resting” why does the Torah introduce the laws of Shabbat with “to do them” – we’re not supposed to “do” any work on Shabbat! What’s going on over here? So too, why was the entire nation assembled at this time? There were different methods of transmission of the Torah and its commandments, but rarely is the entire nation assembled as one to hear a certain law or teaching!
What’s going on over here?
It is explained that this special gathering about Shabbat was meant to convey that Shabbat must be observed as a community.
Shabbat is not merely an individual’s obligation, but rather, it is a time for the community to come together, for people to strengthen each other and celebrate together. From the larger synagogue attendance to the availability of lectures on a myriad of Jewish topics, Shabbat is definitely a time of communal gathering.
Many of the Shabbat requirements are intended to ensure the necessary atmosphere for creating the Shabbat environment: the candles, special clothing, and delicacies being but a few examples. Moses’s instituting communal study of the laws of Shabbos is intended to assist in the creation of the Shabbos environment.
Having the entire community come together and study the subtleties and nuances of Shabbos observance effectively enhances the Shabbos atmosphere.
Performing mitzvot in private and on our own strengthens one’s relationship with God. But there is something extremely special when we observe mitzvot together. For example, through one’s Shabbat observance every person strengthens the others’ Shabbat experience.
This is why that passage of Shabbat was given in such a communal manner. Celebrating the Shabbos on a communal level is the most effective manner to establish the symbol through which we can connect to our Creator.
Now here’s something really neat. After this gathering about Shabbat observance was concluded the verse says, “The entire assembly of the children of Israel left Moses’s presence.”
But the Torah just told us that “Moses assembled the entire nation…” so why do we need to be specifically told that they “left Moses’ presence?” Of course they left Moses’s presence when the assembly was over! Why that unnecessary detail?
A beautiful teaching: it is explained that it was recognizable on the people themselves that they had just been in Moses’ presence. This elevated state of holiness, at the experience of being at a meeting with the greatest Jewish leader to ever live, the effects of such an experience remained with them for quite some time afterward. It’s not the Torah telling us that they “left Moses’s presence” – it was something that one could see on their faces!
This is somewhat similar to seeing a friend we have not seen in ages…the smile and good mood after meeting them last’s for quite some time afterwards! Sometimes you can tell where a person has been by their mood and by their face.
We learn from here that we are influenced by our environment. If you spend time with the likes of Moses, you’ll probably emerge a more refined and spiritual individual. If you spend time in the pubs, you’ll probably come out a drunk and unproductive.
This is why our environment, friends, and community are so important. Be sure to choose them wisely.
For more insights by Rabbi Enkin on this week’s Torah portion, click on the links below.
Make Your Deeds Match Your Words
How Big Should a Leader’s Ego Be?
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