Parashat Vayakhel- Shabbat and the Workweek
In the beginning of Parashat Vayakhel, Moshe commands Bene Yisrael to observe Shabbat: "For six days work shall be performed, but the seventh day shall be sacred for you…" (35:2).
The Hatam Sofer (Rabbi Moshe Sofer of Pressburg, Hungary, 1762-1839) explained this verse as clarifying the reason why a person should want to close his business on Shabbat, despite the potential loss of income this would entail. Moshe tells the people that during the six days of the workweek, "work shall be performed." Significantly, he does not speak of the people performing work, but rather describes their work as somehow being observed automatically, on its own. Although a person must certainly work diligently in an effort to earn a respectable livelihood, he must at the same time perceive the work as "being done" on its own, through God's intervention. Even if he invests countless hours of time and energy in building and running the business, ultimately, his success depends purely on the Almighty's assistance, and not on his efforts.
Once a person recognizes that it is God, and not his hard work and talents, that provides his livelihood, it becomes very easy for him to close his shop on Shabbat. He will not be concerned about the loss of revenue, because his success is assured by God irrespective of his business' earnings. Moshe therefore instructs Bene Yisrael, "For six days work shall be performed" – the success of our endeavors occurs by itself, as decreed by God, and not through our efforts. As such, "the seventh day shall be sacred for you," without any concern or worry over the loss of revenue.
The Hafetz Haim (Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, 1839-1933) explained this verse differently. In his view, Moshe warns the people that if they want to work during the six days of the workweek, if they want to be assured of a thriving, successful enterprise that will grant them financial security, then they must observe Shabbat. The way to guarantee that "for six days work shall be performed" is to ensure that "the seventh day shall be sacred for you." If a person fails to observe Shabbat, then God will see to it that he will, Heaven forbid, be forced to desist from work during the week due to the lack of sufficient clients or professional opportunities. It thus behooves us to carefully observe Shabbat, to ensure that we have sufficient gainful employment during the six days of the workweek.
