Parashat Vayakhel- The Shabbat Misconception
Parashat Vayakhel begins with the command of Shabbat observance. Moshe instructs the people, "Work shall be done for six days, and on the seventh there shall be for you a holy Shabbat…"
Earlier, in Parashat Yitro, God presents the Misva of Shabbat as part of the Ten Commandments, where He declares, "You shall work for six days…and on the seventh there shall be a Shabbat for Hashem your God" (Shemot 20:9-10).
There are two obvious differences between these two commands. First, here in Parashat Vayakhel, Moshe speaks of work "being done" during the six days of the workweek, rather than of people engaging in work. Whereas in the Ten Commandments the Torah describes the people working, here it speaks in the passive form, of work being done. Secondly, in the Ten Commandments, Shabbat is presented as a day "for Hashem your God." In Parashat Vayakhel, by contrast, Moshe describes it as "Lachem" – "for you."
One explanation is that these two verses refer to two different groups of people – the Torah scholars and the laymen. The scholars spend their week immersed in Torah study, and are supported by the Jewish communities so that they would not have to work and could devote all their time to Torah. It is in reference to them that the Torah says, "Work shall be done for six days." The Talmideh Hachamim do not engage in work, but rather benefit from the work of those who support them so they can study Torah. Their Shabbat is described as a day "for you." Shabbat is given to them as a day of relaxation, when they can spend more time eating and resting than they do during the week. In the Ten Commandments, however, the Torah speaks of the majority of the people, who spend the workweek engaged in professional pursuits, and it therefore says, "You shall work for six days." They must observe Shabbat as "a Shabbat for Hashem your God," as a day of spiritual elevation. The time they were unable to spend learning Torah during the workweek must be made up on Shabbat. For them, Shabbat is intended a time of spiritual rejuvenation, an opportunity to focus on Torah and prayer.
There is a misconception that Shabbat is a "day of rest," a day that should be spent eating, socializing, sleeping and just "hanging around." This is incorrect. Those who spend the week working or tending to their businesses must utilize Shabbat as a precious opportunity for Torah. Shabbat is not a day of rest – it is a day when we refrain from work so we can devote the time to spiritual growth.
Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz, the famous Kabbalist who composed the "Lecha Dodi" hymn which we recite every Friday night, describes Shabbat as "Mekor Ha’beracha" – the source of blessing. In America it is called a "weekend," but for us, Shabbat is the middle of the week, the day which infuses the rest of the week with blessing. If we make an effort to utilize Shabbat for its intended purpose, as a day of spiritual growth and inspiration, then it will serve as well its role as a source of great blessing and prosperity that will be bestowed upon us and accompany us throughout the workweek.
