The holiness of Shabbat
One Hour of Torah on Shabbat, a Thousand Times Greater
Shabbat is the holiest day of the week, a day given to Israel for rest, prayer and Torah. The Ben Ish Chai teaches that Torah learned on this holy day carries a power far beyond the weekdays.
A thousand times greater
In his introduction to Parashat Shemot, the Ben Ish Chai writes in the name of the Kabbalists that the spiritual effect of Torah study on Shabbat is a thousand times greater than that of Torah study on the weekdays.
This is why it is said that one hour of Torah learning on Shabbat is like a thousand hours of learning during the week. Every word of Torah spoken on Shabbat rises with the holiness of the day.
כתבו המקובלים ז"ל, גדול הפועל הנעשה מעסק התורה ביום שבת אלף פעמים מן הנעשה מעסק התורה של ימי חול
“The Kabbalists wrote: the effect brought about by Torah study on Shabbat is a thousand times greater than that brought about by Torah study on weekdays.”
Shabbat was given for learning
The Jerusalem Talmud teaches that Shabbat and the festivals were given to the Jewish people for Torah study. Freed from the work of the week, the soul is open to learning with joy.
“Shabbat and festivals were given to Israel only to engage in Torah.”
Half for Hashem, half for you
Our Sages teach that Shabbat is divided between Torah and prayer and the delight of the Shabbat meals and rest. Learning on Shabbat is not a burden that replaces oneg Shabbat — it is part of the delight of the day.
“Divide it: half for Hashem, and half for yourselves.”
Keep it holy
The Torah commands us to remember the Shabbat and sanctify it. Words of Torah fill the day with holiness and bring its light into the whole week that follows.
זָכוֹר אֶת יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת לְקַדְּשׁוֹ
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
Multiply the light of Torah
When you support Torah learning in Israel, you help sustain students who fill their week — and their Shabbat — with Torah. Be a partner in a learning whose light is multiplied a thousandfold.
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