Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Vayigash 5769

שבת טעם החיים פרשת ויגש תשס"ט
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Vayigash 5769
Extending Shabbos into the week
Introduction
In this weeks parasha we learn how Yosef reveals himself to his brothers after being separated from them for twenty two years. What is interesting about Yosef’s revelation is that he does not blame his brothers for selling him to Egypt. Rather, Yosef attributes his sale to Egypt for the good of his family. It is said (Bereishis 45:5) viatah al teiatzavu vial yichar bieineichem ki michartem osi heinah ki limichyah shilachani Elokim lifneichem, and now, be not distressed, nor reproach yourselves for having sold me here, for it was to be a provider that G-d had sent me ahead of you. In this verse Yosef declares that the reason that his brothers sold him was so that he could be a provider for them in the years of famine. Yet, a few verses later it is said (Ibid verse 8) viatah lo atem shilachtem osi heimah ki HaElokim vayisimeini liav liPharaoh uliadon lichol baiso umosheil bichol eretz Mitzrayim, and now: It was not you who sent me here, but G-d; He has made me father to Pharaoh, master of his entire household, and ruler throughout the entire land of Egypt.
Understanding Yosef’s motives
Let us understand what message Yosef was conveying to his brothers. On the one hand Yosef told them that it was them who had sold him to Egypt but HaShem had orchestrated his sale so that he would be the provider of his family. On the other hand Yosef informs his brothers that it was not them who had sent him to Egypt. Rather, HaShem had sent him. Why did Yosef give them contradictory perspectives and what was his goal in stating these perspectives?
Angels and work
The Sfas Emes (Vayishlach 5631) writes that the word malach, normally translated as angel, is associated with the word melacha, work. Thus, throughout the week HaShem conducts the world through angels, as melacha is performed through malachim, angels. On Shabbos, however, one is forbidden to engage in melacha, labor, and Shabbos is a semblance of the World to Come, so the Jewish People can achieve HaShem’s will without any intermediaries.
Yosef represents the extension of Shabbos into the week
The Sfas Emes (Vayigash 5659) writes that Yaakov is reflected in Shabbos, whereas Yosef is reflects in Tosefes Shabbos, adding on to Shabbos. We can therefore suggest that Yosef was intimating to the brothers that while in action, i.e. melacha, they had certainly sold Yosef to Egypt, it was really HaShem Who had sent him. The reason for this is because the ideal of Yosef is to extend Shabbos into the week. Thus, Yosef repeated himself by declaring that ultimately it was not you who sent me to Egypt. Rather, Hashem sent me to Egypt. Yosef was hinting to the idea that all the successes and fortunes of the week find their source of blessing in Shabbos. It is noteworthy that the words shilachani Elokim lifneichem, that G-d had sent me ahead of you, equals in gematria zeh Shabbos, this is Shabbos.

The Shabbos connection
Throughout the week we are engaged in both physical and spiritual pursuits, which, according to the Sfas Emes, are conducted through malachim, angels. Yet, we must know that ultimately Shabbos is the source of the blessing. We must strive to bring the blessing of Shabbos in the week. It is for this reason that we count the days of the week as the days preceding Shabbos and the days that are subsequent to Shabbos. Similarly, we should choose food and other delicacies with the Holy Shabbos in mind. In the merit of contemplating Shabbos throughout the week HaShem should grant us the arrival of Moshiach and we should inherit the day which will be completely a Shabbos and rest day for eternal life.
Shabbos in the Zemiros
Menuchah Visimchah
Composed by an unknown author named Moshe
Shabbos is our source of strength
Bimitzvas Shabbos Kel yachlitzach, through the Shabbos command will the Almighty strengthen you. How does the Shabbos strengthen a person? Shabbos is similar to Shemittah, the Sabbatical year, where a Jew must allow his land to lie fallow for an entire year. Yet, by observing Shemittah one is blessed with an abundance of crops. In a similar vein, by observing Shabbos properly, one is blessed during the week with success and strength to observe all of HaShem’s mitzvos. It is for this reason that the Yerushalmi (Nedarim 12:2) states that the mitzvah of Shabbos is equivalent to all of the other mitzvos in the Torah.

Shabbos in Tefillah
Serving HaShem with fear
Vichulam osim bieimah uviyirah ritzon konam, and they all do the will of their Maker with dread and reverence. It is sometimes easy to do HaShem’s will. W can pray, study Torah and perform mitzvos with relative ease. Yet, how often do we perform these acts with dread and reverence? While one is required to serve HaShem with love and with fear, it is quite often that the fear factor is missing in our lives. To fear HaShem certainly takes an effort. We are required to recite the Shema with fear. The reason for this is because the recital of Shema indicates our acceptance of HaShem’s Kingship and His mitzvos. A practical suggestion would be to recite or to contemplate before performing a mitzvah that we are performing the mitzvah out of love and fear of HaShem. Ones speech and thoughts affect his actions, and this contemplation or recital will lead us on the path of reverence and love for HaShem.

Shabbos Story
All he could think of was Shemiras Shabbos
Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky writes: It was the Jewish wedding of the century, the daughter of Rabbi Chaim Elazar Schapiro, the illustrious Munkatzcer Rebbe, was to marry the son of the Rebbe of Partzov. Both Chassidic dynasties were royal, aristocratic, and majestic. And the ceremony was to be equally regal. The bride and groom would ride in opulent carriages, drawn by four white horses. The wedding meal was so large that every needy member of the community would be allowed to partake. It was the Jewish event of the century!
There was so much excitement that an actual news crew came to film the wedding. The footage would be incorporated as part of the pre-feature newsreels shown at American movie theatres across the Atlantic! “Imagine!” thought the reporters, “this would attract hundreds of Jewish people who had roots in Europe into the theatre!” The difficult part was to convince the Munkatzcer Rebbe to speak for the cameras. The Rebbe vehemently opposed the frivolities and wanton ideas of the cinema, and would not participate in a film. The producer assured the Rebbe that only his voice, not his face (an assurance that proved to be false), would be presented to the large audiences.
“Rebbe, this is a wonderful opportunity for you to talk about the Hassidic court of Munkatzc! Imagine how many Jews would be fascinated by your life's work. It would also be a wonderful opportunity to send personal wishes to all your followers who have left Europe to come to America.”
Finally, the Rebbe consented. The film caught the Rebbe speaking for the microphones and the camera that was obscured from his view. He was very brief. Tearfully, he repeated his message a few times and then turned his head and stopped talking.
The American crew was excited. They were going to present the wedding with its entire mystique and majesty to American audiences.
However, when the wedding film was shown in American theatres the scene of the pomp and circumstance of the ceremony was a stark contrast to the interview with the Rebbe. They did not see a jubilant Rabbi Schapiro toasting the large audience upon the joyous occasion. Instead, they saw Rabbi Schapiro pleading tearfully on the silver screen. “Yidden heet der Shabbos!” “Jewish Brothers! Keep the Shabbos!” Those were the only words he said. Then he turned his face and wept. Those were the only words that the Rebbe chose to speak. (The film is now archived at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City.) [Reprinted with permission from Torah.org]
Shabbos in Navi
Shmuel I Chapter 23

Shabbos is a day when all harsh judgments disappear

In this chapter we learn how Shaul continued to pursue Dovid. Yehonasan met Dovid and reaffirmed his dedication to Dovid. The Zifim informed Shaul that Dovid was hiding in the forest but Dovid was able to escape from Shaul’s pursuit. When Shaul had Dovid surrounded, a messenger came to inform Shaul that the Plishtim had spread out over the land so Shaul temporarily abandoned his pursuit of Dovid. Throughout the week we are, in a sense, pursued by the forces of evil who wish to destroy us, Heaven forbid, or to at least hamper our spiritual progress. When Shabbos arrives, however, all harsh judgments disappear and the evil angel is forced to respond Amen to the blessing of the good angel that the upcoming Shabbos should also be good.

Shabbos in Agadah

Shabbos is a day to remember and not to forget

The Bais Yisroel (Vayishlach 5725) writes that in the Zemiros of Shabbos we recite the words yom Shabbason ein lishkoach, the day of rest should not be forgotten. Regarding Shabbos it is said that we must remember the Shabbos and regarding Amalek it is said that we must remember what Amalek did to us when we left Egypt. This, the Bais Yisroel writes, teaches us that one can overcome the Evil Inclination, but he must ensure that he does not forget the Shabbos. One must not forget the power of Yaakov who observed the Shabbos and did not forget the Shabbos. When one accepts the Kingship of Hashem he will not forget his obligations to HaShem and His Torah.
Shabbos in Halacha

Hatmanah Insulating

In order to ensure that one not come to violate the prohibition of bishul, cooking and havarah, kindling, the Chachamim instituted the prohibition of hatmanah, insulating. One is Rabbinicaly forbidden to insulate a pot of hot food on Shabbos by enclosing it in any material that retains heat, such as a towel. In certain situations one is forbidden to do this even on Erev Shabbos. We will learn that this prohibition applies often in the modern day kitchen.

Shabbos Challenge Question

Last week we posed the question: why do we mention the slav, quail, in the zemer of Mah Yedidus if the Jewish People were punished in the Wilderness when they received the slav? The Pinei Menachem (Mikeitz 5754) answers that regarding every matter there is an aspect of doing good and an aspect of turning away from bad. On Shabbos, writes the Pinei Menachem, one can reach the level where even the slav is deemed to be good.

This week’s question is, why do parents bless their children on Friday night? If you have a possible answer, please email me at ShabbosTaamHachaim@gmail.com and your answer will be posted in next week’s edition of Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim.


Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim
Parashas Vayigash 5769
is sponsored in merit
of the soldiers in Israel
who are fighting to safeguard
the Jewish People.
Hashem should allow them to be victorious and we should witness the arrival of Moshiach Tzidkienu,
speedily, in our days.

I will be giving a class in Navi on Shabbos afternoon at Beis Haknesses HaGra 14561 Lincoln in Oak Park, a half an hour before Minchah.
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