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Kenneth Cohen

Shabbat and the Festivals

It is interesting to note a glaring difference between Shabbat and the other holidays in the Jewish calendar.

The Torah tells us that regarding Shabbat, it was Hashem, Himself, who blessed and sanctified the seventh day. This was the day He rested from all of His labors.

In contrast, the Talmud in Masechet Brachot tells us that permission was granted to Israel to sanctify the special days that would be declared a holiday. The Sanhedrin had the authority to declare Rosh Chodesh. They were also given the authority to add a month to the Jewish calendar.

The Heavenly Court complied with the decision of the earthly court. This is why the Torah declares, “These are the times that you shall declare them as holy days.”

Even though Shabbat has already been sanctified by Hashem, we give the day further sanctification with the recitation of “Kiddush,” which means, “sanctification.”

It is also interesting to note that the text of the Shabbat Kiddush, uses the words, זכר למעשה בראשית, that it is a remembrance of the act of creation.

On the festivals, the Kiddush includes the words, זכר ליציאת מצרים. This corresponds to the time of the Exodus, as all the holidays are time oriented. Shabbat is Divinely sanctified, and is holier than all of the holidays. Shabbat violation carries the greatest penalty, as it is a denial of G-d’s dominion in the world. If He, who does not need rest, nevertheless, rested on the seventh day, how much more must we, who need rest, rest.

This is a novel way of Rav Kook that shows the added sanctity of Shabbat, in connection with the other holidays.

About the Author
Rabbi Cohen has been a Torah instructor at Machon Meir, Jerusalem, for over twenty years while also teaching a Talmud class in the Shtieblach of Old Katamon. Before coming to Israel, he was the founding rabbi of Young Israel of Century City, Los Angeles. He recently published a series of Hebrew language-learning apps, which are available at www.cafehebrew.com