In this week's krias haTorah we read about two different holy times that compose the essence of the Jewish calendar. Parshas Vayakhel begins with the holiness of the Shabbos, whereas the maftir of Hachodesh focuses on the sanctity of yom tov, beginning with Rosh Chodesh and the celebration of Pesach. How can we comprehend the relationship between kedushas Shabbos and kedushas yom tov, thereby enhancing our understanding of kedushas zman - the sanctity of time - which plays a central role in our avodas Hashem?
Rabbi Soloveitchik observed that we can get a glimpse into the difference between the two kedushos of time from a custom of the Jewish people reserved for Shabbos. As Shabbos is about to begin, we greet the Shabbos with a formal Kabolas Shabbos. Although the formal version of Kabolas Shabbos that is recited is customary, the notion of greeting the Shabbos is described by Chazal in Bava Kamma (32b) and has halachic ramifications to it. Concerning yom tov, however, there is no formal kabolas yom tov that is recited. Rabbi Soloveitchik concluded from this distinction that our encounter with Hashem is different on Shabbos than it is on yom tov. The Torah requires of us to visit Hashem on yom tov by traveling to His home - the Beis Hamikdosh. No such obligation exists on Shabbos. On yom tov, we are the guests and Hashem so to speak is the host. On Shabbos, the roles are reversed. We remain in our homes and Hashem enters as our guest. There is no need for kabolas yom tov as we are visiting in Hashem's home and He is the host.
Shabbos and yom tov are clearly different from one another both in terms of certain halachic distinctions and because of the different roles we play on each. Notwithstanding their differences, there is clearly a connection between them as is evident from the presentation of Shabbos as the first of the holy days in Parshas Emor, a theme that is mentioned in kiddush on Shabbos. How do Shabbos and yom tov impact upon one another despite their differences?
Shabbos is described simultaneously as a zecher l'ma'aseh Breishis - a reminder about creation - and also a zecher l'yetzias Mitzraim - a reminder about the Exodus. Although primarily a recognition of Hashem as the Creator, the acknowledgement of Hashem as the Deliverer from Egypt is also an integral part of Shabbos. It is difficult for man to relate to creation because no human being witnessed it. Man did, however, experience yetzias Mitzraim. Our faith in Hashem ultimately emanates from that event as the first of the dibros recognizes Hashem as our Deliverer. It is only through yetzias Mitzraim that we learned to believe in Hashem as our Creator as well. The observance of Rosh Chodesh and the yomim tovim which highlight Hashem's role in yetzias Mitzraim enable us to appreciate Shabbos. Only when we come to acknowledge the truth about yetzias Mitzraim can we declare with certainty, "zeicher l'ma'ase Bereishis."
Shabbos, as the first of the mikraei kodesh, impacts yom tov as well. Kedushas yom tov, unlike Shabbos, emanates from the Jewish people. It is only when the new moon is declared by the beis din that the chodesh is sanctified. The sanctity of Rosh Chodesh, and by extension the yomim tovim, is completely dependent upon us and we express this when we say, "Mikadesh Yisroel v'hazmanim - He who sanctifies the Jewish People who in turn sanctifies the special times." Shabbos is declared by Hashem and, as such, we refer to Him in our tefillos as the Mikadesh haShabbos - He who makes Shabbos holy. Granting human beings the awesome responsibility to endow time with sanctity must be proceeded with an appreciation of what we are being asked to do. We are being instructed to create kedushas ha-zman, a task which should be reserved for Hashem. Yet Hashem gives us this opportunity and we cannot treat it lightly. We look to Hashem as our role model in how to sanctify time. We treat our holy days with the reverence and respect that befits them. Only by following Hashem's model of Mikadesh haShabbos can we succeed in being Mikadesh ha-zmanim.
As we begin the cycle of the yomim tovim with the upcoming days of Pesach, let's focus on some of the messages that permeate kedushas ha-zman. On Shabbos, let us act in a way that Hashem, so to speak, is comfortable as a guest in our homes. Let our yom tov be permeated with the atmosphere that is befit him a visit to his dwelling place. Let our Shabbos and yom tov instill in us our commitment to Hashem as our Creator as well as our Deliverer. Our yomim tovim should always resemble days of holiness that Hashem has granted us the unique privilege to declare. May the Shabbos and yom tov experience help us instill in our children the love for our holy days that has always been the hallmark of our people.
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