Hilchot Shabbat class 1: Distinction between Shabbat and Yom Tov

[Moderator]

Rabbi Isaacson speaks about the mitzvah of Kavod Shabbos in this class.  He points out that the halachos of Kavod Shabbos are really about proper preparation for Shabbos, and directly parallel the Halachos of preparation for Tefilah.  Rav Soloveitchik explains that this is because both are in preparation for an engagement with Shechina.  How can one create an atmosphere of engagement with Shechina on both erev Shabbos and Shabbos in our own homes and lives?

[Marsha1]

How can we create an atmosphere of engagement with Shechina on both erev Shabbos and Shabbos in our own homes and lives?
A few thoughts come to mind:  I think that the earlier that the physical preparation is completed, the easier it is to relax and think about what the coming day is all about.  Especially in the winter, I try to start preparing food on Wednesday so that there is very little left to do on Friday.  I also find that if I can postpone non-Shabbos preparation things (ie. not doing them on Friday), I do not feel as harried because there are simply fewer things to do.  This gives me more time to actually be WITH my daughter (she just turned 4) and have her help me (which, of course, takes more time) and talk about the Shabbat Queen coming and why we are doing what we are doing--which also puts me into the right frame of mind.

Another thing that I find that helps is to play a particular song on CD, which is very melodious and slow, that is about preparing for Shabbat which, by its nature, slows me down and gets me thinking about Shabbat rather than on how much there is left to do.

I also find that, at this point in my life, with young kids and no help (and not being so young myself), that I am less stressed if I don't plan to have guests, at least on Friday night.  This helps in two ways: 1) I'm not so focussed on having at least one more special dish to serve (which invariably takes much more time and creates more stress than anticipated) and 2) our Friday night table focusses on our kids, the parasha, and the joy of Shabbat, rather than on guests to whom the kids may or may not relate.

Although I am still not as organized as I wish I could be in preparation for Shabbat, reducing stress and keeping focussed on Shabbat throughout the day on Friday helps to create an atmosphere of engagement with Shechina.  I also love baking Challah, when there is time, because it feels very spiritual and I say special prayers when I do it; this helps me feel very connected with Hashem.  On those Fridays when I need to be ready earlier in order to focus on certain other immediate things, the whole atmosphere at home is more relaxed; this is what I'd like to aspire to every Friday.  The class gave me more things to think about, with respect to actually stopping to sit and give serious thought to the idea of greeting a king, meaning if everything is done sooner, I could pause, collect myself, and be ready in my heart to engage with the Shechina.  I hope to be able to think about this from now on.