Shemos 35:2: שֵׁ֣שֶׁת יָמִים֘ תֵּֽעָשֶׂ֣ה מְלָאכָה֒ וּבַיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י יִֽהְיֶ֨ה לָכֶ֥ם קֹ֛דֶשׁ שַׁבַּ֥ת שַׁבָּת֖וֹן לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה

On six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be holy for you, a day of complete rest for Hashem

Parashat Vayakhel is among the Torah portions that place special emphasis on Shabbat observance.

The Torah, along with centuries of commentary, outlines in great detail how Shabbat is to be observed.

And yet, critical questions, challenges, and contradictions remain, particularly surrounding the notion of rest.

Gd “resting”, as we define rest, is problematic for two reasons.

First, as addressed elsewhere in Torah, is the futility of assigning human emotions, sentiments, or physical states to the eternal source of life.

In no uncertain terms, Hashem wasn’t drained of strength and in need of rest.

But even if we adapt the meaning of rest, we can infer that it’s the cessation of creation.

For as we know, in six days, Gd created the world, and on the seventh, he rested.

Herein lies a paradox.

It is known, and supported by science, that creation isn’t a singular historical event, but rather, that the universe and life are being brought into existence constantly and continuously without interruption.

As such, if creation ceased, so too would all of existence.

This dynamic challenges us to question how to best emulate Hashem and be partners in perpetuating and perfecting creation?

During the six days of the week, we participate in creation in obvious ways: through our work, our learning, our building, and our creativity.

But what about Shabbat?

How do we perpetuate creation without physically creating?

Shabbat teaches that creation is sustained not only through action, but through meaning.

Just as the service in the Mishkan and later the Beit HaMikdash sustained the spiritual life of the physical world, so too does our Shabbat observance, our prayers, our Torah, our words, our meals, and our rest.

Shabbat is the force that keeps creation alive.

The foundation beneath the structure.

The smoldering embers upon the altar whose light never fades.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)