Shabbos for Generations
- Rabbi Lance Taxer
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Torah Thoughts on Parshas Ki Sisa by Rabbi Lance Taxer
"אַךְ אֶת שַׁבְּתֹתַי תִּשְׁמֹרוּ כִּי אוֹת הִוא בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם לָדַעַת כִּי אֲנִי ה' מְקַדִשְׁכֶם...בֵּינִי וּבֵין בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹת הִוא לְעֹלָם" שְׁמוֹת ל''א:י''ג,י''ז
“Just observe my Sabbaths, for it is a sign between Me and you for your generations, to know that I am God, Who sanctifies you...Between Me and Bnei Yisrael it is a sign forever.” Shemos 31:13, 17
In both the pesukim referenced above, the Torah says that Shabbos is an אוֹת, a sign between Me (Hashem) and Bnei Yisrael. The question is: Why is this promise of an אוֹת mentioned twice within just four pesukim?
The Ha’amek Davar states that the first verse explains that Yom Tov is also called an אוֹת; the expression שַׁבְּתֹתַי, my Sabbaths – in plural, encompasses all days that have an element of rest. Therefore Yom Tov is also called Shabbaton. In the subsequent verse, אוֹת refers to Shabbos only. This is learned from the fact that the verse continues with the phrase that Hashem created the world in six days and He rested on the seventh day.
To further understand the meaning of אוֹת being repeated, one must look carefully at the ending of each of the verses. The first verse states that Shabbos must be observed because it is an אוֹת “between Me and you for generations for I am God, Who makes you holy”. This explains that when Jews are involved in learning Torah or other acts of kedushah, even a gentile can detect the holiness in their midst. However, when it comes to Shabbos, a gentile does not notice the kedushah by witnessing the experience. They know that a day ends and another begins but they do not feel a spiritual difference. A Jew who keeps the Shabbos is infused with kedushah by HaKadosh Baruch Hu Himself, as the verse states, "אֲנִי ה' מְקַדִשְׁכֶם".
The second verse includes the words "אוֹת הִוא לְעֹלָם", a sign forever. This is to teach us that Shabbos and its blessings will never be lost to the Jewish people. Klal Yisrael has always been moser nefesh for Shabbos, and Hashem promises it will never be lost.
Finally, Rashi, in his Machzor Vitri, states that the אוֹת of Shabbos referenced in these two pesukim is a guarantee. Hashem promised that if Shabbos is observed properly, it will come with God’s protection to Bnei Yisrael from being harmed or injured. It is a covenant between Bnei Yisrael and Hashem Himself that He will protect us. The lesson is clear: the אוֹת of Shabbos is both a powerful source of kedushah - and protection for Klal Yisrael.
Rabbi Lance Taxer learned in HTC’s Beis Midrash for five years, graduating in 1988, and received Semichah in 1992. He was a member of the HTC Bellows Kollel, and served as a dorm Rebbe for one year. Rabbi Taxer is a member of HTC’s Board of Regents. He has also served as both President and Co-President of Congregation Adas Yeshurun, and learns together with several chavrusos. He currently works as a Financial Planner at West Point Financial, and lives with his family in West Rogers Park.