Shabbat: Whose Slaves are We?
Sunday, Iyar 14, 5776 · May 22, 2016
Seventh Reading: Leviticus 25:47–26:2
Translated and Adapted by Moshe Wisnefsky
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Inasmuch as the Jewish people are meant to teach G-d’s ways to the rest of the world, G-d forbade Jews to sell themselves as slaves to non-Jews. If, however, a Jew does this, the sale is valid, but his close relatives are required to buy him back (“redeem” him) at the earliest possible opportunity.
Whose Slaves are We?
כִּי לִי בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עֲבָדִים עֲבָדַי הֵם אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִי אוֹתָם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם וגו': (ויקרא כה:נה)
[G-d instructed Moses to tell the Jewish people “The relatives of the servant must redeem him] because the Israelites are My servants, whom I brought out of Egypt.”Leviticus 25:55
Some of us are so absorbed in our work during the six days of the workweek that it seems as if we have become slaves to it. Even on the Sabbath – the weekly “seventh year,” on which we are supposed to “go free” – it is hard to free ourselves from the grip in which our work holds us.
The Torah teaches us that this is not the right way to live. We were created to serve G‑d: to study His Torah and to fulfill His commandments. Since G‑d created us for this purpose, He has surely provided us with the ability to fulfill it. Even when we work during the week, we must not consider ourselves enslaved to our work; rather, we should work in order to use the fruits of our labors for holy purposes. And on the Sabbath, we should rise completely above any association with our mundane lives.
By thus liberating ourselves from our personal enslavement, we hasten the general Redemption, when the whole world will be free to pursue spirituality and Divinity unhindered.1
FOOTNOTES
1. Likutei Sichot, vol. 11, pp. 97–98.
About the Book
Daily Wisdom offers inspiring insights on the daily Torah Portion from the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Purchase your copy here.
Translated and Adapted by Moshe Wisnefsky More articles... |
Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson (11 Nissan 1902–3 Tammuz 1994) became the seventh rebbe of the Chabad dynasty on 10 Shevat 1950. He is widely acknowledged as the greatest Jewish leader of the second half of the 20th century, a dominant scholar in both the revealed and hidden aspects of Torah, and fluent in many languages and on scientific subjects. The Rebbe is best known for his extraordinary love and concern for every Jew on the planet, having sent thousands of emissaries around the globe, dedicated to strengthening Judaism.
Moshe Yaakov Wisnefsky is a scholar, author and anthologist, and is editor-in-chief at Chabad House Publications of California. He is the author and translator of Apples from the Orchard, gleanings from the writings of the Arizal (Rabbi Isaac Luria, 1534–1572) on the Torah, and is the author and editor-in-chief of the Kehot Chumash produced by Chabad House Publications, featuring an interpolated translation of the Torah with commentary adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
---------------------
Daily Wisdom offers inspiring insights on the daily Torah Portion from the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Purchase your copy here.
Translated and Adapted by Moshe Wisnefsky More articles... |
Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson (11 Nissan 1902–3 Tammuz 1994) became the seventh rebbe of the Chabad dynasty on 10 Shevat 1950. He is widely acknowledged as the greatest Jewish leader of the second half of the 20th century, a dominant scholar in both the revealed and hidden aspects of Torah, and fluent in many languages and on scientific subjects. The Rebbe is best known for his extraordinary love and concern for every Jew on the planet, having sent thousands of emissaries around the globe, dedicated to strengthening Judaism.
Moshe Yaakov Wisnefsky is a scholar, author and anthologist, and is editor-in-chief at Chabad House Publications of California. He is the author and translator of Apples from the Orchard, gleanings from the writings of the Arizal (Rabbi Isaac Luria, 1534–1572) on the Torah, and is the author and editor-in-chief of the Kehot Chumash produced by Chabad House Publications, featuring an interpolated translation of the Torah with commentary adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
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