CLD #832

Every Friday evening before we stand in awe in front of Hashem in the Amida prayer, we say: “VeShamru Benei Yisrael Et HaShabbat La’asot Et HaShabbat Ledorotam Berit Olam...” (Shemot 31:16). This appears in our Parasha, Parashat Ki Tisa. What does Shabbat have to do with our Parasha?

Maybe we can answer with a small portion of the Parasha that discusses the holiness and purity of the Kohanim, which were made up of Aharon and his sons. In the beginning of Ki Tisa (Shemot 30:19) Hashem tells Moshe to make a large and glorious copper sink that will be used as a sort of mikveh for the Kohanim to purify themselves.

Rashi on the next pasuk explains that this washing process is the way the Kohanim purify themselves in order to work in the Mishkan. If they don’t wash their legs and arms they will be punished with death! A perek (chapter) later, the Torah brings down the commandment of keeping Shabbat and the stringency of one who violates it, as we brought down before. However another Pasuk in that portion says that Shabbat instructs us, the Jewish nation, to keep the Shabbat because it is what makes us holy (Shemot 31:13), Ki Ani Hashem Mekadishchem.

We know that our Parasha includes the Het Ha’Egel (Sin of the Golden Calf). We also know that this sin occurred only 40 days after Matan Torah (receiving the Torah), meaning after this time Am Yisrael were G-d hungry! They were filled with so much love and emotion for Hashem all they wanted was a spiritual connection! Maybe after hearing that the Kohanim (the family of Aharon) and they’re special connection with Hashem the entire nation needed an extra push to see that they are indeed special as well and do have something they can do to show their love for Hashem. What does Hashem say? Beni UVen Benei Yisrael Ot Hi LeOlam, this Mitzvah of keeping Shabbat is a covenant between Me and you, my nation, my beloved children of Israel! This is something NOBODY CAN TAKE FROM YOU! Not only is it a covenant, but as stated before its also what makes you HOLY!

Be’ezrat Hashem should we receive the strength and trust in Hashem to keep Shabbat with happiness while learning Torah and continuing living as observant Jews! 

Shabbat Shalom!

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