ואתה דבר אל בני ישראל לאמר אך את שבתתי תשמרו כי אות הוא ביני וביניכם לדרתיכם לדעת כי אני ה’ מקדשכם And you, speak to the children of Israel and say: “But (“Ach”) My Shabbatot you shall keep. For that is a sign between Me and you throughout the generations that you may know that I, God, sanctify you.” Shemot 31:13

ואתה דבר אל בני ישראל לאמר אך את שבתתי תשמרו כי אות הוא ביני וביניכם לדרתיכם לדעת כי אני ה’ מקדשכם

And you, speak to the children of Israel and say: “But (“Ach”) My Shabbatot you shall keep. For that is a sign between Me and you throughout the generations that you may know that I, God, sanctify you.” Shemot 31:13

There is no stronger reminder of the holiness of the Shabbat than the categorical imperative not to violate this day while building the Mishkan (Tabernacle). While the children of Israel are commanded to build this most sacred place on earth, symbolizing the encounter between God and man, God makes it clear that the Shabbat is still not to be violated. There is a need to stop this holy work, even in the middle, to make space for this holy day: It is more holy than the Mishkan and (later) the Temple.

Ramban, however points out that the word “but” (“ach”) also alludes to the fact that, in accordance with Talmudic tradition, this word means: With the exception of certain cases, you shall always observe the Shabbat. The most famous case of such an exception is saving a human life on the Shabbat. When human life (Jew or non-Jew)[1] is in danger, the law actually requires the violation of the Shabbat so as to save this life even when it would be for only a few more minutes. Failure to do so would be a clear transgression of God’s Torah.

From this we learn........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)