WEEK 22 - PARASHAS NOACH
Why is it that we have the special halachah of Kabbalas Shabbos, greeting Shabbos?
There are two kinds of mitzvos. The majority of mitzvos, such as eating matzah or putting on tefillin, fall into the first category. When we fulfill these mitzvos, the main focus is that we are doing as Hashem commanded. But there is another kind of mitzvah. For example, "Three times a year, all your males shall appear before Hashem, your God, in the place He will choose." (Devarim 16:16) This is the mitzvah of coming to the Beis HaMikdash for the Shalosh Regalim in order to "see" Hashem's presence and be "seen" by Him. Here, fulfilling the mitzvah is more than just doing as Hashem commanded. It is actually greeting and receiving Hashem's presence. It is a personal relationship with Hashem.
So it is with Shabbos Kodesh. It is the main mitzvah in which we develop a personal relationship with Hashem. When we greet Shabbos, we are actually greeting the Shechinah.
Song plays a special role in Kabbalas Shabbos. We begin Kabbalas Shabbos with the words “Lechu neranenah laShem.” The word neranenah comes from the root word of rinah, song. Next we say “Shiru laShem shir chadash,” again emphasizing shirah, song. We continue with the joyous song of "Lecha Dodi." Then comes "Mizmor shir l’yom haShabbos," again highlighting song with the double expression "mizmor shir."
When Shabbos enters, our entire avodah is through song. Why?
Some things simply cannot be expressed in words. For example, the taste of food. We can say a certain food is bitter or sweet, but no one in the world can explain what "bitter" or "sweet" is. We can say only, "Do you remember when you ate that sweet thing? What you tasted then, I taste now."
The only language for communicating things too deep for words is song. If our ear is attuned, we hear the moving message borne by the melody. When Shabbos begins, we attain such closeness to Hashem that it cannot be expressed in words. So, at this exalted moment, we don't talk; we sing. Nothing less will do. Whoever has an attuned ear understands that there is no other way to express the neshamah’s joy over the coming of Shabos Kodesh. If someone doesn't understand, there is no way to explain it.
Shabbos touches the deepest feelings in the heart of the Jewish people. At this time we meet HaKadosh Baruch Hu, and an indescribable love is aroused. All we can say is: “Mizmor shir l’yom haShabbos, tov l’hodos laShem!"
This is what Shabbos is all about. It strikes a chord hidden deep within the Jewish heart. It is the point of connection between us and Hashem!
