Shabbat

A major theme of פרשת כי תשא is Shabbat. The subject comes up right in the middle of all of the instructions to build the Mishkan.

This teaches several Mitzvot. The building of the Mishkan does not take priority over Shabbat observance. The thirty-nine מלאכות are learned from the building of the Mishkan. And we learn that פיקוח נפש, danger to one’s life takes priority over Shabbat. We would violate Shabbat in order to save a life.

We are also taught that Shabbat is referred to as an אות, a sign of a bond ביני ובין בני ישראל, between Hashem and the Jewish people. Only ברית מילה and תפילין are referred to as אות.

This is the reason why we do not put on תפילין on Shabbat because we already have two אותות in place.

We learn from the words ביני וביניכם, that this special connection is limited to G-d and the Jewish people. This is why we say that a non-Jew who keeps Shabbat is חייב מיתה, deserves the death penalty.

Shabbat is clearly a major pillar of Judaism. It is largely responsible for the survival of the Jewish people during our long and bitter exile. It rejuvenated us and recharges the batteries. It helps give us a perspective on what is temporary and what is permanent, and what is truly important and what is not. Parshat כי תשא gives us pause to take a step and appreciate this sacred gift of Shabbat.