The Power of Welcoming Shabbat Early

Adding Time, Gaining Transcendence: The Spiritual Rewards of Early Shabbat

The Zohar teaches that those who accept Shabbat early receive an added portion of the neshama yeteira (the "additional soul" granted on Shabbat): "Whoever adds [to Shabbat], they add to him an extra soul. Whoever diminishes, they diminish that soul, Heaven forbid" (Zohar, p. 85).

Welcoming Shabbat early demonstrates our love and reverence for the day. Imagine that a great rabbi or revered guest is scheduled to visit your home. And yet, as they arrive, the household is still frantically cleaning up, setting the table, and helping the kids find their shoes. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate for the family to be seated calmly, waiting peacefully to greet their honored guest?

The same is true about Shabbat. We should welcome the Shabbat Queen with anticipation, serenity, and joy.

The Mishnah Berurah (Orach Chaim 256) emphasizes the importance of communal involvement in honoring Shabbat:
"It is proper that individuals volunteer to go around the city and urge shopkeepers to close their stores and light the Shabbat candles. In many cities, sacred groups have been established for the honor of Shabbat. Fortunate is their portion. They bring merit to the Jewish people and will merit to raise children who are Torah scholars."

A Miracle Through Shabbat: The Chafetz Chaim’s Blessing

The late Rabbi Simcha Kaplan, the Chief Rabbi of Tzfat, once shared a moving story from his youth while he studied at the Mir Yeshiva. He lived with a couple who had a single son, born after many years of marriage. One Friday morning, the husband prepared to travel to the marketplace, and his wife reminded him again and again:
"Remember, today is Friday. Return early, well before sunset!"

When Rabbi Kaplan returned from yeshiva later that day, he saw the wife anxiously watching the window. Though hours remained before Shabbat, she was visibly nervous. She explained why:

“Our only child was born after many years. He was later diagnosed with a severe heart defect. Doctors in Krakow referred us to a top heart specialist in Vilna. There, the physician told us the condition was incurable. At best, medicine might extend his life by two months.”

Heartbroken, they sought the counsel of the Chafetz Chaim. He sighed and said, "Am I one who revives the dead that you come to me?" But his grandson, standing beside him, cried out: "They have only one son, born after many years. We cannot turn them away!"

The Chafetz Chaim responded:
"Accept upon yourselves, without fail, to bring in Shabbat early, while it is still broad daylight, and you will see great salvation."

The couple immediately agreed. Just moments later, their baby’s condition began to improve. By the time they returned home, he had recovered completely. They brought him to the doctor in Krakow, who was so stunned that he reimbursed their travel expenses and urged them to return to Vilna to show the child to the specialist.

In Vilna, the doctor was equally astonished:
"This is not the child I saw. The heart defect was incurable!"

The woman concluded her story: "Now you understand why I cannot rest until I see my husband home early, calmly welcoming the Shabbat."

Anticipating Shabbat

Accepting Shabbat early is more than just a good habit. It’s a powerful spiritual statement. It reflects honor, faith, and deep affection for the sanctity of Shabbat. In return, we are granted expanded spiritual capacity and, at times, even miracles. When we make room for holiness, Heaven fills the space.

So this Friday, take a moment to pause, prepare, and welcome the Shabbat Queen early. Because in those extra minutes of holiness, eternity may be waiting.