You may do whatever you must during the six week days, but you must stop on the seventh day. Your donkey and ox must then be able to rest, and your maid’s son and the foreigner must be able to relax.
-Exodus, 23:12
The text above is from this week’s Torah portion, Mishapatim, in which God reveals His laws. We have just read Yitro, in which the Children of Israel receive the 10 commandments (or top 10, as I like to call them). Now those 10 laws are reiterated and expanded upon. Repetition in the Torah is common and revealing. When a concept or a law is repeated, it can often be instructive what is changed, what is preserved, and what new material is introduced.
The first iteration of the above commandment acknowledges God’s creation, and takes special care to forbid work for all members of the household, slaves, servants, foreigners and animals. This reiteration omits the reference to creation, and not only demands that our animals and servants be able to refrain from work (a negative commandment) it specifically commands that we be able to rest (tishbot) and relax (yanoach) – positive commandments.
What does this mean? This Shabbat, as you finish your work and get ready for the weekend, remember the active things you can do for yourself to rest and replenish. Make time for yourself, but do not think of all the things you aren’t doing! Enjoy Shabbat, enjoy a rest, relax.
What can you actively do to relax this Shabbat?
When you rest, does that allow others to rest?
Who is working today that deserves a rest?
No comments:
Post a Comment