Yerushalayim is once again being addressed and exhorted to rise up from its sluggishness of exile to shine once again, exhibiting the brilliance that was her signature in the past. This stanza is our spiritual wake-up call, urging the Jewish soul to rise up and embrace Hashem – rejoicing in the imminent redemption, which is symbolized and previewed by the holiness and peace of Shabbos. [It is important to note that, throughout these verses, Shabbos is the symbol of Moshiach’s imminence. As such, I think that, in addition to sensing the holiness and purity of the day of rest, we must feel redeemed as if Moshiach is here.]
The repetition of hisoreri conveys the urgency to rouse ourselves from the exile-induced slumber/despair. We are being told to “get on with the program” and not permit the exile to destroy our hopes for the future, because the future is now! We must infuse ourselves with the feeling that the redemption is here and we are a part of it. On Shabbos, we are availed the opportunity to experience this joy and gratitude in a greater measure. Shabbos is not just a day of rest. It is a day of joy in feeling the redemption from exile.
