Eagerly Awaiting its Arrival
Many commentators analyse the use of the term וְשָׁמְרוּ - to keep and observe. There are many other words associated with mitzvah observance that are more commonly used, such as לְקַיֵּם - to fulfill. The Or Hachaim provides many explanations for this. He says that 'shmirah' means to wait and hope for the arrival of an anticipated event or person. We see this when Yosef told his father about his dreams, וְאָבִיו שָׁמַר אֶת הַדָּבָר - and Yaakov waited for the dreams of to unfold. He knew that they would materialize, and he eagerly waited to see them fulfilled. We are commanded, וְשָׁמְרוּ - anticipate the arrival of Shabbos. The entire week should be an enthusiastic preparation for the main event.
He also adds that וְשָׁמְרוּ... לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת - guard... to do the Shabbos, refers to the mitzvah of תּוֹסֶפֶת שַׁבָּת. While we are commanded to keep Shabbos from nightfall, it is a mitzvah to add time to Shabbos and accept Shabbos upon ourselves earlier, before the required time. Adding onto Shabbos is an expression of our eagerness to observe the Shabbos. לַעֲשׂוֹת - we actually make Shabbos, we turn chol into Shabbos by being מְקַבֵּל שַׁבָּת earlier, thereby "making" more of Shabbos. We show great kavod to the Shabbos by welcoming her early, כְּחָתָן הַיּוֹצֵא לִקְרַאת הַכַּלָּה - like a groom who goes out towards his bride in greeting. Due to his boundless joy upon seeing his bride, the chasan cannot just stand and await her arrival, and he runs towards her as she approaches. This, says the Or Hachaim Hakadosh is the concept of תּוֹסֶפֶת שַׁבָּת, adding onto Shabbos.
As mentioned earlier, The Apter Rav explains that Shabbos is called a מַתָּנָה for it gives us a minute sampling of the reward that awaits us in the World to Come. He explains however, that the amount of kedushah - the measure of Olam Haba - we merit weekly, is directly proportional to our preparation and anticipation. The gift of holiness is felt in accordance with the investment one puts into keeping Shabbos properly.
(אור החיים שמות לא טז)
