It’s more than just a day off. It’s a connection to something ancient, something profound. It’s a chance to step back and remember. But it wasn't always easy.
Imagine this: The Israelites, fresh out of Egypt, are wandering in the desert. God is providing for them, miraculously sending down manna, that mysterious bread from heaven. But some, the "unbelieving among them," as Ginzberg phrases it in Legends of the Jews, just couldn't resist trying to hoard some extra on the Sabbath. They didn't listen to God’s instructions.
This didn’t sit well. According to the legend, God turned to MOSES and said, in essence: "I freed you! I split the sea! I’m feeding you with miracles! And still, you can’t keep My commandments?" It's a pretty powerful statement.
Moses, relaying God’s words, reminds the people that even the seemingly simple commandment to observe the Sabbath at Marah (Exodus 15:23-26) was being broken. Think about it: After everything God had done, this one day of rest, of recognition, was too much to ask?
But here’s the beautiful part. Moses continues, offering a promise. "If," he says, "you will observe the Sabbath, God will give you three festivals in the months of Nisan, Siwan, and Tishri." That’s Passover, Shavuot, and Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur/Sukkot. These festivals, central to the Jewish calendar, are presented as a reward for keeping Shabbat.
And the rewards don’t stop there. According to this passage in Legends of the Jews, observing the Sabbath brings six gifts: the Land of Israel, the World to Come (Olam Ha-Ba), the New World, the sovereignty of the House of David, and the institutions of the Priests and Levites. That's a whole lot of divine presents!
But even more than the gifts, there's the promise of protection. Observing the Sabbath, we're told, will free us from three great afflictions: the sufferings of the times of GOG and MAGOG, the travails of the Messianic time, and the Day of Judgment. That is, we are promised protection from tribulations at the end of days.
So, what does this all mean? It's a powerful reminder that the Sabbath isn't just about rules. It’s about gratitude, about acknowledging the miracles in our lives, and about connecting to something far bigger than ourselves. It's about the covenant with GOD. It's about rest, yes, but also about remembering. And maybe, just maybe, about earning a few extra blessings along the way. What do you think? Is it a worthwhile trade?