On Shabbos, We Can More Easily Sense This
Part of the creation of Shabbos, says the Me’or Einayim, is that it is easier to feel and see this reality and truth.
In the tefillah of כגוונא that we say that on Shabbos, there’s a special השכינה השראת in the world, and if a person conducts himself properly on Shabbos, he will more easily sense the perfection of the creation, and that he has all he needs, without lacking a thing. This is possible. We must only internalize it. On Shabbos, this becomes much clearer.
When We Guard Shabbos, We Feel Perfection
There’s a yesod taught by the Kedushas Levi in a number of places, as well as by other great tzaddikim (e.g., Chida, Arizal, and others), that when a light descends to the world from Above, the Ribbono shel Olam generally gives us a mitzvah at that same time as a vehicle through which we can grasp onto that light and internalize it.
The same takes place on Shabbos. The aura of Shabbos is one of perfection and השכינה השראת. It’s an experience of הבא עולם מעין when we feel we have attained everything we could ever desire. Everything is wonderful and pleasant. But we cannot access this feeling unless we “grasp” it by performing the unique mitzvah of the day—abstaining from work. If we don’t guard the sanctity of Shabbos, we cannot connect with this understanding. Our minds won’t be able to grasp it, and we will not be able to enjoy the gift of Shabbos’ unique light.
The more we keep the מלאכה כל תעשה לא, the more vessels we will have to hold onto the light that is already here. There are numerous levels, of course. The basic level is not to do any D’Oraisa or D’Rabbanan transgressions. Then there’s the mindset of feeling “as though all your work has been done.” Later come the positive actions of singing and rejoicing with the Ribbono shel Olam. When a person ascends this ladder of connecting to Shabbos, he taps into the light of the perfection of the world—and feels that he has everything and lacks for nothing.
