Genesis tells us God spent six days creating the world, right? But what happened after that? The Book of Genesis tells us that God rested on the seventh day, but there's more to the story than that.
According to some mystical texts, after God completed the work of Creation, He didn't just kick back and relax on the couch. No! The story goes that God "ascended to the heaven called Habitation of Joy, to sit on His celestial throne." (Schwartz, Tree of Souls, 307).
Imagine the scene. As God arrived in this heavenly realm, all the angelic princes – the big shots appointed over the cosmos, the guardians of the universe – they all came before Him. Can you picture it? Angels rejoicing, dancing, singing praises to the Creator! A cosmic celebration of a job well done.
But what does any of this have to do with that Friday evening feeling?
Well, within Jewish mystical thought, the Sabbath itself, Shabbat (שבת), is personified. Shabbat isn't just a day; it's a divine presence, a radiant being, a... Princess.
This idea, this beautiful metaphor, is rooted in the Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition. The Zohar, the central text of Kabbalah, speaks of the Shabbat as a queen, a bride, even a daughter of God.
Think about it. After a week of striving, of creation and toil, we welcome something precious, something sacred, into our lives. We invite the Shabbat – this Princess – into our homes and hearts. We light candles to welcome her glow. We prepare a festive meal in her honor. We sing songs to celebrate her arrival.
And in doing so, we connect with that original moment of cosmic joy, that heavenly celebration when Creation was complete. We touch something ancient, something divine. We allow ourselves to be embraced by the peace and serenity that only the Sabbath can bring.
So, the next time you feel that Friday evening calm, remember the Princess of the Sabbath. Remember the angelic choirs, the celestial throne, and the invitation to welcome something truly special into your life. It's a reminder that even in the midst of a busy world, there's always room for a little bit of heaven.