Community Magazine October 2010

62 Community magazine The op 10 1 HOW DOES ONE FULFILL THE 4 TH COMMANDMENT TO “REMEMBER THE DAY OF SHABBAT”? The rabbis explain that “remembering Shabbat,“ is fulfilled through constant references to Shabbat. Throughout the week, one should “mention” the upcoming Shabbat’s impending arrival and buy special products like foods, dishes and clothing in honor of Shabbat. On Shabbat, one fulfills this missva by greeting people with the term “Shabbat Shalom.” 2 WHEN IS THE IDEAL TIME TO SHOP FOR SHABBAT? It is most preferable to do Shabbat shopping early Friday morning, so that it is evident that the purchases are being made specially for Shabbat. However, if one purchases foods that require considerable preparation time, or products that may not be found on Friday, or when Shabbat begins early on Friday afternoon, one should shop on Thursday or even earlier in the week, as necessary, to ensure that he or she has sufficient time to prepare before Shabbat. 3 WHAT SPECIAL DESIGNATION IS MADE FOR PURCHASES IN HONOR OF SHABBAT? The Arizal (Rabbi Yishak Luria of Safed, 1534-1572) is cited as instructing that when purchasing items for Shabbat, one should verbally declare, “I am buying this item in honor of Shabbat,” or simply, “ Lichvod Shabbat ” (for the honor of Shabbat). 4 IS THERE A SPECIAL MISSVA TO SHOWER/BATHE BEFORE SHABBAT? Bathingor showering for Shabbat fulfills apositive commandment, though one who does not shower is not liable to punishment. In situations where one cannot shower before Shabbat, he should at least wash his hands, feet and face with hot water. Although it is preferable to shower on Friday afternoon, if one will not have time in the afternoon, or is concerned that by delaying he might shower too close to Shabbat, he may shower in the morning. 5 SHOULD ONE IMMERSE IN A MIKVEH BEFORE SHABBAT? The Arizal writes that one should immerse in a mikveh on Friday in order to receive the neshama yetera (additional soul) that descends upon us on Shabbat. The preferred time for immersion is from one hour before hassot (midday as defined by halacha) until sunset. If one has already said shenayim mikra ve’ehad targum (the reading of the Torah portion, twice in Hebrew and once in translation) in the morning, then he may immerse in the morning. 6 WHAT SPECIAL LAWS REGARDING WASHING CLOTHES APPLY TO SHABBAT? All clothing that is worn directly on one’s body should be washed in honor of Shabbat. Suits and other garments that are not worn directly on the body do not need to be washed unless they are dirty. At the beginning of the Second Temple Era, Ezra Hasofer enacted a decree requiring that one wash his clothing on Thursday, so that the time-consuming task of laundry would not diminish from Shabbat preparations on Friday. The halachic authorities debate the question of whether this applies even nowadays, when electric machines are used to wash clothes, thus making the process much quicker. The Or Lession (Hacham Bension Abba Shaul, 1923-1998) writes that one who has a clothes dryer machine, may do laundry on Friday. 7 IS THERE A SPECIAL MISSVA TO BAKE HALLOT FOR SHABBAT? The Shulhan Aruch writes that it is customary for women to make their own hallot on Friday, as an expression of special honor for Shabbat. Preferably, women should make enough dough to obligate themselves in the missva of separating hallah. This missva serves to atone for Hava’s having caused Adam – who is called “ hallato shel olam – the bread of the world” – to sin. If one enjoys bakery halla more than homemade halla , then he should preferably buy the bakery halla . Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv shelita writes that those who do not bake halla for Shabbat can fulfill the missva of kevod (honoring) Shabbat by baking a cake. RABBI SHAUL SERUYA Questions & Answers on Customs and Laws of Preparing for Shabbat Dedicated in memory of Mrs. Shari Haber 