We bring here an excerpt from the sefer that we published, “From Our Father’s Table”:
Our holy sages, with their crystal-clear vision and divine countenance, beheld the Shabbat zemirot (hymns) as a mighty source for drawing down G-dliness and exalted holiness straight from the heights of the upper holy worlds to the lowly person dwelling in this world. It particularly is conducive for educating the children and inculcating them with love of G-d and fear of Heaven, love of Torah, and the joyful observance of its commandments.
It is well-known that through singing the Shabbat zemirot, harsh judgments are sweetened, and compassion and kindness are bestowed, and a person merits attaining wondrous and exalted levels of faith and attachment to G-d and even come to a state of supreme repentance and true healing of the soul from all of its maladies. Through the power of Shabbat songs, we can protect our children from the ills and dangers of our age and of the street—and fortify them with pathways into the world of Torah and the diligent study of Torah.
It is written as follows: "'Azamer bi-shvachin' — the term zemirot implies pruning; through the praises — ‘shvachin’ — of Shabbat, all judgments are nullified and sweetened..." Likewise, in the introduction to the Shabbat Zemirot by the Ya'avetz, it is written: "One who sings these songs and praises brings goodness to the world; G-d cleaves to him and listens to his voice and is appeased, and He sustains the world so that it will be maintained and not destroyed."
It, implanting within them an unbounded sweetness in the study and pursuit of Torah. That sweetness is the guarantee that they become true children of Torah, cleaving to it and joyfully fulfilling its commandments!
It is well known that on one occasion, a towering luminary of Israel confessed that, because of his fervent devotion to Torah study, he would drastically abbreviate the Shabbat meals to hurry back to his learning, dismissing the Shabbat melodies as a mere "squandering of precious Torah time"; consequently, he never considered singing the zemirot properly at the Shabbat table with his only son—until the day he discovered, to his anguish, that this son, his sole child, had not remained upon the path of Torah and holiness he had so carefully blazed, but had strayed to graze in alien pastures.
Years later, in a moment of searing introspection, a heavy sigh burst from his heart, and he confessed to the companion beside him, "I attribute the entire failure of my son's upbringing to my neglect in singing at the Shabbat table!" He went on to say, "Had I merited to prolong the zemirot properly at the Shabbat table, the sweetness of Torah would have permeated my son's heart, and of its own accord, he would have spent his life immersed in the study and pursuit of the holy Torah..."
To summarize the above: at the moment of Shabbat zemirot, a spirit of purity descends from the highest heavens upon every son and daughter seated at the Shabbat table, and by its power, they receive in their souls the courage and strength to sanctify themselves and to stand firm against every obstacle and difficulty throughout the week!
