Amidst the Torah instructions regarding the building of the Mishkan, the Torah reiterates the mitzva of Shabbos saying, ושמרו בני ישראל את השבת לעשות את השבת לדרתם , the Jewish people shall observe the Shabbos to make the Shabbos an eternal covenant for their generations.
The gemara tells us that the Torah considers whoever says ויכולו on Friday evening a partner to Hashem in the creation of the world. The Maharsha explains that the concept of Shabbos testifies that Hashem created the world. In order to testify you need witnesses; therefore one who says ויכולו is thereby testifying that Hashem created the world. He is then considered as if he is partners with Hashem in the creation of the world.
Perhaps this is why the gemara says that Shabbos observance is so special that if one keeps the Shabbos properly he is forgiven for all his sins. The Cofetz chaim asks, what does it mean to keep it properly? It means to know all the laws of Shabbos so that one doesn’t inadvertently desecrate it. The only way one can ensure that is by studying its laws & becoming fluent in them. If not, continues the Chafetz Chaim, even if one is inspired to keep the Shabbos, all the inspiration in the world won't help if he doesn't know the laws.
The gemara tells us that Hashem said to Moshe "I have a great gift in my treasure house & Shabbos is its name. I want to give it to the Jewish people so go, tell them. From here the rabbis derive that if one gives his friend a gift, he should apprise him of the fact so that he realizes its value.
There's a story told about R' Shmelke of Nikolsburg. When a pauper came to his home looking for a donation, R' Shmelke searched the house but couldn't find any money to give him. The only thing he found was one of his wife's rings which he took & gave to the pauper. When his wife realized what he did, she started yelling, saying, “what did you do? That was an expensive ring worth twenty five gold coins!” When he heard that, he went running to find the pauper.
When the pauper saw the rabbi running after him, he quickened his pace thinking the rabbi wanted the ring back. However, when the rabbi finally caught up to him, he said, “I just want you to know that that's an expensive ring worth twenty five gold coins; don't sell it for pennies!”
That Shabbos, R' Shmelke addressed his congregation, telling them this story that happened to him. He concluded that this is what Hashem meant when he told Moshe that he has a great gift, the Shabbos, for the Jewish people; go tell them. Tell them about the greatness of Shabbos so they don’t squander it frivolously but rather use it wisely.
Maybe the way we could use the Shabbos wisely is by taking the advice of the Chofetz Chaim. Let us put aside some time each Shabbos to learn its laws so we will be able to observe it to its fullest thereby meriting to keep the Shabbos properly and have all our sins forgiven!
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