The Magic of Shabbos: A journey through the Shabbos experience.

It is well known that G-d "created the world in six days, and on the seventh day he rested." Nevertheless, the Torah clearly tells us (Genesis 2:2), "And G-d completed, on the seventh day, the work that He had done." If G-d, in fact, completed His work on the seventh day, that would imply that some sort of creation was done on the holy day of Shabbos!

Rashi, an eleventh century Biblical scholar from France, explains this apparent contradiction by telling us: Indeed all of creation was done in six days. Nevertheless, something was still missing. After six days of creation, what was the world still missing? Rest. With Shabbos, the concept of rest was introduced. Through it, creation was completed.

In other words, G-d did create something on the seventh day, but He did so without doing any "work." On the seventh day, G-d created the concept of "rest," or in Hebrew, menucha. What exactly is this great concept of rest or menucha, that it is considered the crowning glory of creation?

It is understood that every person wants to be happy. Many people feel that money will bring happiness, while others look to having a wide circle of admirers. Some spend their lives saving for their old age, looking toward retirement as a time of rest and happiness. Alas, despite their efforts, many people, even after they have achieved great success, are left with a void, a feeling of emptiness.

The common theme of these approaches is that they address only our physical dimension. In reality, it is our soul that craves fulfillment. Our internal self- our spiritual dimension- is the part of us that feels empty. By refocusing our goals towards spirituality, it is possible to find meaning in life.

Judaism approaches the search for happiness from a unique perspective. Certainly, we should work for the betterment of society and strive to improve our lot. But Judaism recognizes that, ultimately, true happiness comes from within. Our Rabbis taught, "Who is wealthy? He who is happy with his lot." By reassessing our values, we can achieve true happiness.

This is the focus of Shabbos. Six days a week we strive to improve our lot, to enhance our lives and the lives of those around us. On Shabbos we change our focus. Instead of striving to develop our physical dimension, we emphasize the development of our inner strength, in an effort to become better human beings. On Shabbos we nurture and develop ourselves in an intellectual and spiritual sense. The focus of Shabbos helps us recognize that it is neither our popularity nor the size of our bank account that can give us true fulfillment. It is through our families and our spiritual goals that we will be able to achieve self-fulfillment. Through this recognition, true happiness can be achieved.

This concept of striving for a higher spiritual goal explains why we refrain from various actions on Shabbos. In essence, as we prepare for Shabbos we are saying, "We must take care of these actions before Shabbos, because on Shabbos we are occupied with a higher mission." Everything must be completed before Shabbos, so that on Shabbos there will be no distractions.

Shabbos, and the rest or menucha it brings, is far more than just physical rest. Menucha represents fulfillment, in a physical, spiritual, and emotional sense. Shabbos provides the opportunity to discover the happiness and harmony for which we strive. Shabbos affords us the opportunity to rest from our hectic lives and enjoy G-d's creation. Through the gift of Shabbos G-d shows us how a Jew can find fulfillment in life.

Many people view the laws of Shabbos as restrictive. However, the laws of Shabbos do not restrict; they guide. Within the discipline of these laws we are shown how to experience spiritual greatness. By avoiding certain distractions, we can find serenity.

Unfortunately, many Jews do not understand the positive sense of the Shabbos laws. In this book the deeper meanings of some of these laws will be explained in order to help you appreciate Shabbos in its most positive sense.

There is an ancient legend that when the dove was created, it was created without wings. The dove was attacked by the other animals and pleaded to G-d for help. G-d heard the dove's prayer, and graced it with a glorious set of wings. Soon the dove complained bitterly to G-d. "Things were bad enough before You placed these cumbersome limbs on my sides. But at least I was able to run from my enemies. Now with these wings, I am weighed down, and I can't even run properly."

G-d smiled benevolently upon the dove, and said, "Come, I will show you how to use your wings to fly. In this way, you will never view your wings as a burden, but rather as the special gift that they were meant to be."

Similarly, our sages teach us that the commandments of the Torah are compared to a pair of wings. Until we learn to use them, they may weigh us down. But once we learn how to use them properly, they give us the ability to "fly"- to inspire us and to bring light into our hearts and homes.

Let us therefore investigate Shabbos about which G-d told Moses, "There is a special treasure in My treasure house, and its name is Shabbos; I would like to give it to the Jewish people. Go, and tell them..."