JLI: Does God Really Need Rest?! The True Meaning of Shabbat
This lecture was delivered by Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson at the 18th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: https://jretreat.com.
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Mushkie
If indeed Hashem rested on Shabbos, how did the world continue to exist, since it cannot exist on its own, and must constantly be recreated? So if the creative work of the Six Days of Creation, that work, needed to continue on Shabbos, what was He resting from?!
AH
As I understand it (and hopefully bigger meivinim in Chassidus will weigh in), in Shabbos the world is elevated and is so much more a “part” of Hashem, so to speak, that it doesn’t need to be re-created.
Mushkie
I am aware that on Shabbos, Hashem “lifts” Himself and “malchus” ascends, but ultimately, the recreation of the world through the Ten Sayings must constantly continue throughout shabbos. There is no “rest” from creating the existence, for if there would be, the existence of “yesh” would immediately revert to a state of “ayin”. Please explain.
P McDonald
Well said
Mushkie
Indeed, Shemos Rabbah 30:9 while Rabban Gamliel, R. Yehoshua, R. Elazar and R. Akiva were in Rome, they were asked, Doesn’t He make the wind blow and the rain fall on Shabbos just like during the week? The rabbis responded that everyone is allowed to carry within their own domain. Since the entire world belongs to God, it is His domain and He can move the wind and rain without violating the law…
Mushkie
This Medrash indicates that Hashem continues to “work” on shabbos by making the wind blow and rain fall – however, such “work” would be permitted (with regard to Hilchos Shabbos,) as it is within His
domain! The Medrash fails to address, that the rain waters the grass, plants and trees, which are all forbidden melochos (work) on shabbos. Hashem takes people’s souls on shabbos, again a forbidden.
Mushkie
This Medrash is even if somehow the existence of the world is on “remote control” on shabbos, Hashem sill makes the rain fall and wind blow on shabbos? Plus, waters the plants, and makes people die on shabbos – all firms of “work”. So is he really “resting” and keeping shabbos the way we are required to keep it??? This is very troubling!!! Please respond!!! (If there is an answer that makes sense)
Yocheved
Mushie, don’t expect an answer. He won’t give one because there is none that is logical. You will be told not to ask such questions and to go learn more chassidus to strengthen your beliefs. Drink the kool-aid and you will be able to accept an answer like AH above: המחדש בטובו בכל יום מעשה בראשית, daily, except shabbos when it doesn’t need to be recreated. Huh?! Really?!
Yolanda
There are lots of speakers and preachers, but if you question their message, they are stumped and instead of answering, they question you, sometimes patronizing you, or being passive-aggressive. People with answers are more important than speakers or preachers!