Everyone seeks tranquility. There is a holy tranquility, which is internal, and there is an external tranquility, which is often impure. The internal tranquility is the calm, relaxed mind for a higher purpose. At these times, one can connect with Hashem in a very unique and real way, and one can make a cheshbon hanefesh, to understand what is truly important in life and what is superficial.
The external tranquility is the relaxation of the body, a life without hard work and without yesurim. This desire is often due to laziness. Included in the external tranquility is also the ambition to have a peaceful, calm mind, but his purpose is so he can enjoy life more. The benefit of the external tranquility is solely when it leads to the internal tranquility.
The external tranquility has a great problem, especially during the weekdays. The weekdays are days of action. “Man goes forth to his work, and to his labor until evening” (Tehillim 104:23). It isn’t a time for relaxing and laziness.
As a rule, in reference to time, Shabbos kodesh the mind seeks the inner peace, and on the weekdays, the body seeks the external peace.
Practical Application
On weekdays, a person should set a time for himself – a short time – when his mind is tranquil, connected with Hashem, and with his mission in life. Shabbos Kodesh is made for the combination of both forms of tranquilities. We don’t work on Shabbos, and there is a mitzvah of oneg Shabbos, to enjoy physical relaxation and pleasure. But the goal shouldn’t be solely the relaxation of the body, rather the calmness and focus of the mind, which comes along with the external peace. It is a day to be focused and united with the Creator.
"Yaakov settled in the land of his father’s sojourning, in the land of Canaan” (Bereishis 37:1)
“Yaakov desired to dwell in tranquility” (Rashi ibid. 2)
