Special Days

59: Sanctifying Shabbos

"Remember the Shabbos day to sanctify it." (Shemos 20:8)

It is a mitzvah to sanctify the Shabbos. We do this by reciting Kiddush at the beginning and Havdalah at the end; bathing, cleansing ourselves, and dressing up in honor of Shabbos before the day begins; and enjoying three meals of good food, as well as an additional meal after Shabbos.

We should remember Shabbos every weekday, too. By saying each day, "This is the first day toward Shabbos," "This is the second day toward Shabbos," we remind ourselves that our success each day is linked to the understanding that Hashem created the universe in six days and rested on the seventh.

If you come across something nice on a weekday, it is a mitzvah to put it aside for Shabbos.

Text Copyright © 2007 by Rabbi Moshe Goldberger and Torah.org.