ספר שמות

The pasuk (Shemos 31:13) states, “Only guard My Shabbos’s, for it is a sign between Me and Bnei Yisrael.” The word אך - "only," seems out of place. Rashi explains that it teaches us that Shabbos is excluded from the building of the Mishkan, meaning it is forbidden to build the Mishkan on Shabbos. Bnei Yisrael fell from their high level due to the sin of the Golden Calf, damaging their commitment of נעשה (doing). This was repaired through the building of the Mishkan, which purified the 39 melachot, representing all human actions. Through the effort of performing these actions in holiness, one merits to find Hashem’s presence everywhere.The day of Shabbos, however, was not tainted by the sin. Therefore, it is stated (Shabbos 88a) that Moshe returns the crowns to Bnei Yisrael on Shabbos. This is the meaning of אך - "only," indicating that the mitzvah of Shabbos remains pure and untainted in every generation. As it states, “It is a sign.” We explained elsewhere that אך (only) implies purity without sediment, just as gold must be purified by removing any rust. Thus, guarding Shabbos remains clean without needing further purification. This is why Bnei Yisrael must be extra cautious with this mitzvah.Similarly, all mitzvot called אות (sign), like Tefillin and circumcision, reflect the attachment to Hashem. The double expression שבת שבתון teaches that rest should be completely relaxing, not just a temporary stop from weekday work. Shabbos is a preparation for the world to come, a “taste” of it. Therefore, one should train to forget all weekday actions when Shabbos arrives, making it easier to attain true rest in the world to come.

(Shemos 32:15) states, “The luchos were the handiwork of Hashem…” We need to understand the advantage of having the commandments written on the luchos. It might seem that hearing Hashem speak at Har Sinai is greater than receiving the luchos, yet the Torah emphasizes the significance of the luchos.The idea is that the commandments were not only written on the luchos but also engraved on the hearts of each Yisrael, as expressed by “write them on the luach of your heart.” Bnei Yisrael’s commitment of "na'aseh v'nishma" (we will do and we will hear) allowed them to hear Hashem's voice at Har Sinai and aimed to repair the world of action completely.This is the meaning of “the handiwork of Hashem.” Had Bnei Yisrael not sinned, they would have comprehended the Torah on the level of action, and their bodies would have been purified, free from the angel of death and the evil inclination. Now, since we did not retain this level, we must reawaken it through toiling in Torah, focusing on "nishma" (listening to the commandments). As our sages taught, after the sin, Hashem advised Bnei Yisrael to guard "nishma" since they ruined "na'aseh." In the future, when all actions are repaired, the Torah will be given to us on the level of action, fulfilling “the handiwork of Hashem.”