Extra Soul

The Talmud in Masechet Beitza describes the נשמה יתירה, the extra soul that we are given every Friday evening, that leaves us when Shabbat comes to an end.

This is learned from the word, וינפש, that refers to Hashem’s resting on the seventh day. A mnemonic is learned from this word, according to the Gemara. From וינפש, we learn, וי אבדה נפש, translated as, “Woe is me, that soul is lost.”

The idea here is that the Shabbat observer is transferred into a different spiritual state when Shabbat comes in.

It was once said that describing the joy and tranquility of Shabbat to one who never experienced it, is like describing a beautiful sunset to a blind man. No description can do justice to the experience itself.

The Shabbat is one of the greatest gifts the Jewish people ever received. It has helped not only in keeping families together, but it has helped keep the Jewish nation together through our long and bitter exile. We must always appreciate this great gift, known as “Shabbat Kodesh.”