Tam and Chacham were walking through a forest one Thursday and they came upon a clearing. They sat down beneath a tree to rest when they saw a young man come into the clearing from the opposite side and asked:

“May I sit with you?” asked the young man. “Come, sit and maybe share a word or two with us.” answered Chacham.

The young man sat on a nearby stump quietly for some time. He thought and then shared: “I used to learn and marvel in the Holy Writings, but have seen that it is an academic exercise. Since most do not practice what is written.”

Chacham looked at the young man with a serious look, and responded: “have you not learned or understood the laws and customs of the holy Shabbos (Sabbath Day)? It is very clear as it is written: ‘And G-d blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it’ (Genesis 2:3), and are we not further commanded to ‘remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy. Six days shall you labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the L-rd your G-d, in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates.’ “(Exodus 20: 8 – 10)

The young man looked, an uneasiness in his eyes, and asked: “Is there more than just laws and customs? It seems so dry and without feeling.”

Chacham’s face began to turn red with frustration, but Tam turned to the young man and began: “He who delights in the Sabbath Day is granted his heart’s desire, as it is written: ‘delight yourself also in the L-rd, and he shall give you the desires of your heart. This delight refers to the Sabbath Day, as it is said ‘and you shall call the Sabbath a delight.’ ” (Isaiah 58:13) (Shabbos 118 a-b)

Chacham shook his head in agreement and added: “that is why it is important to ‘devote part of the Sabbath Day to learning Torah (Scriptures) and part to feasting.’ ” (Y. Shabbos 15:3)

Tam looked at the young man kindly and shared: “I know it’s hard and sometimes very difficult to understand many of the teachings. So let me explain it a little differently:

“A prince was taken captive from a field of battle and was brought to a place far away from his home. The people in the place were ignorant and gave him no respect. He remembered his father and his home and sent a message to his father.”

“One day, the prince received a letter from his father. He was overjoyed and wanted desperately to express his feelings. He felt like jumping up and dancing, but how could he when everyone around him would laugh and think him crazy. Then, he had an idea. He would purchase some fine food and some good wine, and invite his neighbors to a feast. They ate their fill of food and became drunk on wine until they began to sing and dance. The prince, too, danced, but for different reasons, the neighbors danced out of the drunkenness, he danced because of the joy from the letter he had received.”

Chacham interjected: “the one who violates Shabbos was put in the same category as a person betrays his faith and his people.” (Eruvin 69 b).

Tam continued: “it is sad, even maybe a little sinful to say that too many think of the Sabbath day is very boring, tedious and dreary. They think only in terms of ‘what can be done’ and ‘what cannot be done’, a long list of restrictions.”

“People scrimp and save to take a vacation to get away from telephones, computers and other annoyances. They go for fancy food and relaxation.” Everything a person could want is in Shabbos, and it comes once a week. It is indeed a beautiful day to refresh, renew and recharge.”

The young man looked at Tam and Chacham and smiled. He took a deep cleansing breath and asked: “can you give me a blessing that I can understand the beauty of Shabbos?”

Chacham smiled and began:

“Heavenly Father, in Your great love help us to welcome the Holy Shabbos with tremendous joy, happiness, and understanding.

Watch over us and protect us so that on the Holy Shabbos, no sadness enters into our hearts.

May we know no sorrow or sighing or any worry at all.

Bless us and all we meet so that all can rejoice on the Sabbath Day, with all their heart and with all their soul with all of their might.”

Tam continued:

“let us all be happy throughout the Sabbath Day, from the time it arrives until it leaves.

Allow us to draw the joy of Shabbos into the other days of the week. So that happiness can be found during the week.

Help us to obtain the true calm and happiness of Shabbos.

May we all find rest filled with love, truth and faith, wholesomeness, peace and security. The complete rest, which we know You desire.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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