It speaks of additional spiritual dimensions that awaken within us during this sacred time.
These dimensions are linked to the three prayers recited on Shabbat: the evening service, the morning service, and the afternoon service. And these prayers? They're not just words. They are keys that unlock deeper aspects of our being.
The Tikkunei Zohar tells us that the afternoon prayer, "You are One and Your Name is One," (Ata Echad Ushmecha Echad) corresponds to something called YQV”Q. What is that, you may ask? Think of it as the Middle Pillar, a unifying force that harmonizes opposing energies. It’s a balance point, a place of profound connection. This prayer reminds us of the absolute oneness of God.
But what about those "extra" bits?
The tradition speaks of an ‘extra soul’ (neshamah yeteirah), ‘extra spirit’ (ruach yeteirah), and ‘extra animating-soul’ (nephesh yeteirah). Each corresponds to a different Shabbat prayer.
The ‘extra animating-soul’ (nephesh yeteirah) arrives with the Sabbath eve service, embodied in the prayer "You have sanctified" (V'shameru). It's like a grounding, an anchoring into the holiness of the day.
Then comes the ‘extra soul’ (neshamah yeteirah) during the Sabbath morning service, the soul of all life. It's linked to the verse, "Moses will rejoice in the giving of his portion." What does Moses have to do with it? Well, Moses represents receiving divine wisdom, and the Sabbath morning is a time for us to open ourselves to that same flow of insight.
And finally, as we've already touched upon, the ‘extra spirit’ (ruach yeteirah) comes with "You are One, and Your Name is One" in the Sabbath afternoon service.
So, what does it all mean? It means that Shabbat isn't just a day of rest; it’s a portal. A portal to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our connection to the Divine. It's a time to welcome these extra layers of soul, spirit, and life-force, and allow them to enrich our being. It's an invitation to experience the Oneness that permeates all existence. And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, a glimpse of that Oneness is what we all truly seek.