Shabbos Secrets - the Mysteries Revealed
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Translated by Rabbi Awaharn Yaakov Finkel Shabbos Secrets - The Mysteries Revealed First Published 2003 Copyright O 2003 by Rabbi Dovid D. Meisels ISBN: 1-931681-43-0 All rights reserved No part of this publication may be translated, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in an form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo-copying, recording, or otherwise, withour prior permission in writing from both the copyright holder and publisher. C<p.?< , . P*. P,' . , 8% . 3: ,. ""' * - ;., Distributed by: Isreal Book Shop -WaUvtpttrnn 501 Prospect Street w"Jw--.or@r"wn owwv Lakewood NJ 08701 Tel: (732) 901-3009 Fax: (732) 901-4012 Email: isrbkshp @ aol.com Printed in the United States of America by: Gross Brothers Printing Co., Inc. 3 125 Summit Ave., Union City N.J. 07087 This book is dedicated to be a source of merit in restoring the health and in strengthening 71 Tsn 5s 3.17 ~~w7 May Hashem send him from heaven a speedy and complete recovery of spirit and body among the other sick people of Israel. "May the Zechus of Shabbos obviate the need to cry out and may the recovery come immediately. " His parents should inerit to have much nachas from him and from the entire family. I wish to express my gratitude to Reb Avraham Yaakov Finkel, the well-known author and translator of numerous books on Torah themes, for his highly professional and meticulous translation from the Yiddish into lucid, conversational English. The original Yiddish text was published under the title Otzar Hashabbos. My special appreciation to Mrs. E. Langer for her superb job of editing the manuscript. I am indebted to my daughter-in-law, Reb. S. R. Meisels for her proficiency and talent in arranging the layout and producing the illustrations. I want to express my hakoras hatov to R' Yaakov Moshe Berkowitz, a dedicated friend of my father, Harav Hagaon Rabbi Zalmen Leib Meisels, and a staunch supporter of his kehilla, and benefactor to kol davar shebikedushah. It was his suggestion to have this sefer translated into English. His generous support and encouragement enabled to bring this project to fruition, kedei lezakos es harabbim. May Hashem grant much nachas, simchos, and good health to him and his entire mishpachah. Rabbi Dovid Meisels has performed a monumental service to the Jewish community. This inspired presentation of the fundamentals of Shabbos Kodesh in all its beauty is a work of art, which appeals to the soul with magnetic force. The author has gathered choice pearls of wisdom from a rich away of sources spawning the vast spectrum of Torah Wisdom from the wellsprings of Chazal up until the writings of the Sages of our own generation. For those whose Shabbos experience has been hitherto tenuous and colorless, this work will serve to kindle a flame of feeling and warmth. Those whose Shabbosim have already been spiritually elevated may glean from these writings a deeper understanding of things already familiar to them and use them to raise their spirituality even higher. The Torah says: Shabbos is an everlasting sign of unity between Hashem Yisborach and klal Yisroel. It creates awareness that Hashem has made us a holy people. Rabbi Meisels' masterwork will serve to fasten that awareness without, which Shabbos would be no more than an empty shell. For that he deserves everlasting credit. In the merit of the observance of the kedushas Shabbos may we witness the Geulah Sheleima, speedily in our days. nun nwn nmai wnin ntua THE UNION OF ORTHODOX RABBIS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA 235 EAST BROADWAY NEW YORK. N.Y. 10002 Rabbi Dovid Dov Meisels, the author of a number of important sefarim, showed me his latest work, Otzar HaShabbos, a rich treasury ot fascinating insights and perspectives on the subject of Shabbos. Written in Yiddish in a lucid and popular style, the book will inspire both the scholar and the casual reader and contribute greatly to a more fervent observance of Shabbos. Rabbi Meisel's sefarim have won the acclaim of prominent rabbis who regarded them as valuable tools in pronioting a deeper understanding and appreciatron of Torah and mitzvos. Our Sages spoke at great length about the holiness of Sl~abbos.To cite a few examples: "Whoever observes Shabbos is as though he kept the entire Torah;" "Shabbos is equivalent to all the ni~tzvos;" "Wlioever takes delight in Shabbos is given a heritage without restrictions;" and, "Whoever delights in Shabbos, his every wish will be fulfilled." Recently, Rabbi Meisel's sefer has been translated into English and published under the title of "Shabbos Secrets", making it accessible to a wider circle of readers. My berachah is that the author's "springs may spread outwal.d." and that, in the nierit of the observance of Shabbos we liiay wit~iessthe Geulah sheleimah, the ultimate Redemption with the co~iiingof Masliiach, speedily in our days. New York, 3 Teves, 5 763/2002 of tlie United States and Canada Preface....................................................................................... ..I Getting Ready Preparing for Shabbos .......................................................................... 1 Do it Yourself -3 1 Teaching Your Children -4 1 Eagerly Preparing for the Shabbos Queen -5 / Say the Words -6 / Prepare Yourself -7 / The Sages of the Talmud Prepared for Shabbos -7 The Benefits of Preparing for Shabbos .................................................. 10 Preparing for Shabbos Helps one's Learning -10 / Spared from the "Birthpangs of Mashiach" -10 /Additional Reward -11 / ... And Punishment for Failure -11 Sweat and Tears; Joy and Forgiveness -1 1 / Shabbos Brings Healing -12 Wealth and Prosperity -12 For The kng's Table Preparing the Shabbos Food ................................................................ 15 Baking Challahs -16 / Shopping for Food -19 / Buying the Best -20 Cooking the Shabbos Dishes -22 / Sampling the Shabbos Dishes -23 Eating on Friday -24 Royal Garments Wearing Shabbos Clothing ................................................................... 27 Laundering Clothes -28 / Dressing to Greet the Shabbos -28 /Traditional Garments 32/ Good Manners 34/ Protective Garments 35/ Spiritual - Garments -37 / Reflection of the Neshamah Yeseirah ... and the World to Come -39 1 Wear Your Shabbos Clothes... No Matter What! -40 / Examining Your Clothes -42 Countdown Final Shabbos Preparations .................................................................. 45 Flowers for Shabbos -46 / Sharpening the Knives -46 / Breaking Bread -47 Covering the Tables -48 / Setting the Table -49 / Straightening Up the House -49 / Cutting Nails -50 / Getting a Haircut -53 / Going to the Mikveh -54 / Taking a Bath -56 / Resting on Erev Shabbos -58 / The Final Preparation -59 Adding To Holiness Beginning Shabbos Early, Ending Shabbos Late ................................... 51 Hashem Added to Shabbos -62 / Additional Blessings -62 / Leaving Work Early on Friday Afternoon -64 / Reward for Adding to Shabbos-65 / Hastening the Redemption -66 / Exalting the Neshama Yeseira -67 / A Remedy for Having Children -67 / A Week of Holiness -68 The Light Of Creation Kingdling the Shabbos Lights ................................................................ 69 The First Mitzvah of Shabbos -70 / Honoring Shabbos -71 / The Merit of the Shabbos Lights -72 / Children Who Are Tora Scholars -73 / Preparing the Wicks -75 / The Woman's Mitzvah -77 / A White Apron -77 / Giving Tzedakah -78 / Washing Hands Before Candle Lighting -79 / The Proper Time for Kindling Shabbos Lights -80 / How Many Lights? -80 / Lighting the Candles -81 / Olive Oil -82 / Kindling with Tallow -83 / Making the Blessing -84 / Praying when Kindling Shabbos Lights -85 / How Long Must the Lights Burn? -86 / Drawing the Curtains -87 / Gazing at the Shabbos L~ghts-87 I Lights of Peace -88 The Source Of Holiness Welcoming the Shechina -94 / A Sanctuary for the Shechinah -95 /A Dwelling Place for the Shechinah -97 / Instrument of Holiness -98 / Defeating the Yetzer Hara -99 1 The Taste of Shabos -100 / Paying Attention -102 / Higher Than the Angels -102 Not Equal -103 1 Three Stages of Kedushah -103 / V~sible Hollness -104 1 To Be in Awe -104 I Avoiding Anger on Shabbos -105 Sanctifying Shabbos -106 / Guarding Our Speech -108 / Speak~ngthe Truth -109 / Hashem's Treasure -1 11 A Day For The Soul The Nesharnah Yeseirah ......................................................................113 Body and Soul -1 14/ A Special Gift -1 16 /j Welcoming the Neshamah Yeseirah -1 17 / Connection to Holiness -1 19 / The Greatest Boon -121 Casting Out the Neshamah Yeseirah -122 /Awareness of the Neshamah Yeseirah -122 / Shabbos of the Land and Shabbos of Hashem -124 / Birkas Hamazon -125 / Bidding Farewell to the Neshamah Yeseirah -125 What Is Shabbos? A Day of Rest .......................................................................................127 The Creation of Rest -127 / The Perfect Rest -128 / For Hashem's Sake -129 The Seventh Day -130 A Precious Gift .....................................................................................131 Shabbos Alone -131 /An Eay Mitzvah -132 /A Gift from Klal Yisroel -133 Advance Notice -134 / Know Its Value -135 / Showing Your Love of Shabbos -135 / Not A Burden -136 A Taste of the World to Come .............................................................. 137 Wellspring of Olam Haba -137 / Semblance of the World to Come -138 1 The Yardstick of Olam Haba -138 /A Foretaste of Olam Haba -139 A Sign For All Time The Testimony of Shabbos ..................................................................