Daf Yomi - Beitzah 16 - Shabbos is the most treasured gift from HaShem

From Shabbos: Taam HaChaim Bamidbar 5764. For more inspirational thoughts on Shabbos and other topics, please visit www.torahthoughts.com

There are many aspects to Shabbos, and I believe that it is most appropriate to begin with the statement of the Gemara that explains the concept of Shabbos. The Gemara in Shabbos 10b states: Rav bar Mechasya said in the name of Rav Chama bar Guria who said in the name of Rav: One who bestows a gift upon his friend must inform him of the gift, as it is said: לדעת כי אני ה מקדשכם, to know that I am HaShem Who makes you holy. We have a proof of this idea from a Baraisa. It is said: לדעת כי אני ה מקדשכם, to know that I am HaShem Who makes you holy. HaShem told Moshe: I have a beautiful gift in my treasure house and its name is Shabbos. I desire to bestow the Shabbos on the Jewish People. Go and notify them of this gift. It is evident from this Gemara that the essence of Shabbos is that it is a gift from HaShem to us. How are we to understand this? Is not the entire Torah a gift from Hashem to the Jewish People? Perhaps the answer to this question can be found in the words of the Gemara itself. HaShem told Moshe that He desired to bestow the gift of Shabbos upon the Jewish People. Yet, first HaShem wanted the Jews to be informed as to the nature of the gift. The concept of Shabbos is that I am HaShem Who makes you holy. Once the Jewish People would know that Shabbos is a Day of Holiness, they would be deserving of receiving this beautiful gift. It is worth noting that the Torah that one studies on Shabbos is more significant than the Torah one studies during the week. Thus, although Torah itself is a gift, one can reach a higher level in Torah study on Shabbos, which is a gift from HaShem's Treasure House.