It's more than just challah and candles, you know. According to Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Psalms, the Sabbath is a powerful, almost tangible force.
The Midrash starts with the verse, "A Psalm, a Song for the Sabbath day" (Psalm 92:1). Then, it immediately jumps into a fascinating interpretation of another verse: "The Lord gives voice to the many messengers." (Psalm 92:12). It's a bit of a leap, right? But stay with me. The Rabbis are making a connection between the many voices of God's messengers and the many ways we experience the Sabbath.
Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi compares it to striking a reed and sparks flying out in all directions. And Rabbi Yossi bar Hanina uses a similar image: striking a rock with a hammer and sparks shooting out. The idea is that the Sabbath, like these acts of creation or revelation, unleashes a multitude of experiences and expressions.
The Midrash continues, drawing a clear line between remembering the Sabbath, as commanded in Exodus 20:8, and honoring it with food, celebration, and clean clothing. This echoes the words of Isaiah 58:13, "And you shall call the Sabbath a delight." It's not just about abstaining from work; it's about actively embracing joy and celebration. We welcome the Sabbath with songs and hymns. It’s a time when something special happens.
So, what does happen? According to Rabbi Levi, at sunset on Friday, a person enters the Gan Eden, the Garden of Eden! Imagine that: the ministering angels themselves welcome you and lead you in. And get this: If you fulfill the commandment of the Sabbath, you’re given a special treasure!
But here’s where it gets really interesting. The Midrash then shifts to the story of Adam, the first human. We're told that Adam was created on Friday, just before the Sabbath. The text details the twelve hours of Adam’s creation: formed in the mind, molded with angels, dust gathered, limbs formed, a golem created (that’s a shapeless mass), clothed in skin, soul breathed in, standing on his feet, commanded, he sinned, judged, and finally, expelled from the Garden.
Talk about a busy day!
The kicker? When Adam was about to be punished, the Sabbath intervened! It removed him from his plight. The ministering angels then called out to him, quoting Psalm 49:13: "A man who is in honor, yet does not understand, is like the beasts that perish." Ouch.
Here’s the thing: the Sabbath acted as an advocate for Adam. It pleaded before the Holy One, saying, "Master of the Universe, during the six days of creation, Adam was not punished in the world, but for me he sinned and was punished. This is my holiness and this is my rest." In other words, Adam’s sin was specifically tied to the Sabbath, and yet, the Sabbath itself offered him protection.
And for the sake of the Sabbath, Adam was saved from the punishment of hell.
The Midrash concludes that once a person witnesses the power of the Sabbath, they naturally want to sing its praises. The Sabbath, in turn, says, "You say a hymn for me, and you and I will say a hymn to the Lord," referencing the verse, "It is good to give thanks to the Lord."
So, what does it all mean? Maybe it's that the Sabbath isn't just a day of rest, but a powerful force of creation, redemption, and connection to the Divine. It’s a time when we can, in a sense, re-enter the Garden of Eden, and find ourselves in the presence of angels. And perhaps, most importantly, it’s a reminder that even when we stumble, there's always the possibility of redemption, thanks to the holiness and restorative power of the Sabbath.