Parsha Corner: Parshas Vayakel – BOGO
In this week’s parsha, the Torah says:
“Lo sevaru aish b’chol moshvoseichem,”
which is the prohibition against lighting a fire on Shabbos.
The Zohar explains this passuk bderech remez that the Torah is prohibiting us from getting upset on Shabbos. According to this explanation, the passuk reads: “Do not light a fire,” referring to the fire of fury, on Shabbos.
The question, though, is that we know in general that it is assur to get upset, so why then is there a specific prohibition for Shabbos?
The Yesod Yisroel explains, based on the passuk we read Shabbos morning by Kiddush:
“Zachor es yom haShabbos l’kadsho”
that there is a mitzvah to do things on Shabbos to add kedusha. This mitzvah includes things like learning, davening, and having good middos. For every mitzvah that we do on Shabbos, we get a second mitzvah of “zachor”, and for every aveira, we get a second aveira too.
With this in mind, we can explain that although we know in general that getting upset is forbidden, the Torah is giving us a second warning here because the stakes are much higher.
We should take advantage of this amazing opportunity and saturate our Shabbos with as much kedusha as possible.
Have a wonderful Shabbos!
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