Rabbi Yigal Cohen: Keys to Prosperity – Honoring Shabbat and Parashat HaMan

Rabbi Yochanan spoke in the name of Rabbi Yossi, "Anyone who delights in Shabbat is granted a boundless inheritance." Similarly, Rav Yehuda said in the name of Rav, "Anyone who delights in Shabbat is granted the desires of their heart." Our sages promise that if we honor Shabbat with special and exquisite food, beautiful and unique clothing, and even unique lighting that illuminates the house on Shabbat, then Hashem will fulfill the wishes of our hearts for good and provide a spacious dwelling.

Many people "whistle" about faith, as stated in the writings of the Chazon Ish, of blessed memory, in his book Faith and Trust. I will explain his words through an incident that happened during a class I gave on faith. A Jewish man stood up and said, "Honorable Rabbi, why do we need to be taught about faith? We already know that Hashem is the cause of all causes and nothing in the world exists without Him." I was pleased to hear his words and replied, I need a loan to build a synagogue, so certainly, if you help us, the "cause of all causes" will return the money to you, as the synagogue is His. The man sat back in his place and said, I'm sorry, but my account is overdrawn, and I personally need a loan. This is an example of someone who talks about faith, but his actions do not reflect it.

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When we purchase things for the sacred Shabbat which we don't buy during the rest of the week, we show Hashem that we believe in Him. After all, He promised in the Gemara (Tractate Beitza, 16) "Borrow for me and believe in me, and I will repay." But someone who fears and doesn't buy as they wish for Shabbat effectively says to Hashem, forgive me, I don't believe you'll keep your promise.

Therefore, if we want to show Hashem that our faith in Him is complete and true, it must be evident in our actions as well.

Indeed, delighting in Shabbat is not an easy mitzvah and requires special preparations, such as thinking about what foods the family loves and buying them specifically for Shabbat, like candies, cakes, and special ice creams. Also, someone who loves a particular dish should seek it out to enjoy it on Shabbat. Additionally, one should designate honored, comfortable, and beautiful clothing, quality bedding, and certainly fine and luxurious utensils for Shabbat, regardless of their price, so that on Shabbat they feel like royalty. They should not worry about the money because a word from Hashem is a word.

Now I remember a story I heard firsthand about a family of very wealthy Jews (billionaires) from New York, who host yeshiva students in their home for Shabbat. One Shabbat, a student I knew was a guest and recounted, when I offered to help set the table before the meal, I picked up some heavy plates nearby. Suddenly, the lady of the house scolded me and said, these plates are not honorable enough for Shabbat,

when I asked where the Shabbat plates were, she pointed to plates off to the side and said, those are the plates. I continued to ask about the difference between them, and she replied, they are made of 24 karat gold.

During the meal, the host served wine to the guests and said, this wine comes from France, where I have a friend with a special vineyard, and each bottle costs a thousand dollars. I thought to myself about taking the glass the host poured for me, worth a hundred dollars, and trying to sell it in the open market. Thus, the student concluded his story.

Hearing the student's story, the words of the Gemara in Tractate Shabbat (119) became clearer to me: what did the wealthy in the lands merit to become rich? In that they honor Shabbat.

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Another merit brought by the early commentators is to recite daily the Parashat HaMan, in the Book of Exodus, Parashat Beshalach. It instills within us the faith that Hashem sent food from the heavens to millions of Jews, in a place where food is least prevalent, the desert.

In conclusion, I wish to emphasize an important point: in the last Mishnah in Tractate Uktzin, it is stated, Hashem found no vessel to hold blessing for Israel other than peace, as it is said, "Hashem will give strength to His people, Hashem will bless His people with peace."

Sometimes a person merits a blessing, but they still need a vessel to contain it, and that vessel is peace. If a house speaks slander and gossip, causing discord rather than peace, even if the blessing arrives, it will not remain there because they lack the vessel to contain it, and that vessel is peace.

Regarding this, King David said, "Who is the man who desires life, loves days to see good? Guard your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit." A Jew who desires longevity and insurance against diseases and loves to see good, should increase peace among the people of Israel.

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