Parashah of the week: Beshallach

From an ideal heavenly point of view, Shabbat is not about the prohibitions, they are simply the framework that allows us to appreciate it for what it is. Shabbat is really about the positives – sanctifying it with kiddush, with prayer and song, with good food and fine wines, resting and enjoying Shabbat, what we talk about, how we spend our leisure time.

To do that for human beings it is “Shamor v’Zachor” – keep shabbat by putting boundaries in place to allow for maximum appreciation and enjoyment. Crucially, it is not all about the restrictions but rather they are the means to the end of zachor, the positive enjoyment and observances of Shabbat.

This is true of many mitzvot which have both positive and negative components. We need those boundaries and frameworks to be able to really appreciate and cherish the true, inner dimensions.

I would love to coin a new phrase zocher Shabbat. So many people may not be strictly shomer Shabbat, but they will stay home, say kiddush Friday night, have a meal, mark Shabbat in different ways or even if it just staying home rather than going out.

Of course, the framework of the restrictions gives us the Torah-true Shabbat experience, but it needs to be in tandem with the zocher Shabbat – remembering – the positive mitzvot and expression.

Next time someone asks or tells you they are shomer Shabbat, you can confuse them by saying “that is great but are you zocher Shabbat?