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This week we read Parshas Beshalach. It tells us, among other things, of the Manna – Mon. This was food from heaven, which sustained the Jewish nation throughout the forty years in the desert.
Every day each Jew would find his allotted amount, neither more nor less. No one was allowed to “put away Mon for a rainy day.” Each day they received the exact amount for their needs.
The only exception to this was Shabbos. Every Friday, the Jews received a double portion of Mon, enough for Friday and Shabbos[1]. The Torah describes this as follows. Moshe told the Jews that[2] “See that Hashem has given you the Shabbos. Therefore, on the sixth day (Friday), He gives you Mon for two days. Each person should remain in his place; let no man leave his place on the seventh day.” Rashi cites the words “let no man leave, etc.” He writes that “these are the 2,000 cubits of the Sabbath limit.” This means that on Shabbos, one may not travel 2,000 cubits outside of his place, i.e., outside of his city. In modern units of measure, that is the equivalent of approximately 3,000 feet.
There is a spiritual explanation to the prohibition of going outside of the Techum – the limit of 2,000 cubits.
The Torah commands us that[3] “Six days may you work and perform all your labor.” There is a time, namely the six weekdays, that one may be occupied with mundane activities. During this time, one may perform acts that are not related directly to Torah and Mitzvos. The only condition is that[4] “if you eat the toil of your hands, you are praiseworthy, and it is good for you.”
This means that during the time that one may be occupied with mundane toil, he may only do so with his hands. His head and heart must be exclusively devoted to Torah and Mitzvos.
When may our hands be involved with matters involving this world? This is only true during the weekdays. However, on Shabbos, which is exclusively dedicated to Torah and Mitzvos, one’s hands may not be used for mundane matters. However, one may not even use one’s feet for ordinary purposes! This means to say that all of one’s faculties may only be immersed in Torah and Mitzvos.
May we learn from this to use our entire being purely for Torah matters. This is certainly true of Shabbos. However, even throughout the week, our heart and brain must be immersed in Torah. In this manner, we will certainly bring Moshiach now!
I wish one and all a good Shabbos!
Rabbi Shmuel Mendelsohn
Adapted from Likkutei Sichos Volume 11, Page 71
IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR FATHER
Mr. Sholom Moshe Hacohen
ben Reb Shlomo Meir Hacohen ע”ה Cohen
Passed away Shabbos Parshas Beshalach, 13 Shevat, 5779
May His Soul be bound in the Eternal Bond of Life
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DEDICATED BY HIS SON-IN-LAW AND DAUGHTER
RABBI SHMUEL AND RIFKA שי’MENDELSOHN
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לעילוי נשמת
ר’ שלום משה הכהן בן ר’ שלמה מאיר הכהן ע”ה כהן
נפטר ש”ק פ’ בשלח, י”ג שבט, ה’תשע”ט
ת. נ. צ. ב. ה.
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יו”ל ע”י חתנו ובתו שיחיו
הרה”ת ר’ שמואל ורבקה שי’ מענדלסאהן
[1]. That is why we recite a blessing over two loaves of bread, called Challah, on Shabbos.
[2]. Our Parshah, Shemos 16:29.
[3]. Parshas Yisro, Shemos 20:9.
[4]. Tehillim 128:4.
The Rebbe Teaches Rashi 