The Halacha below was orated in our Synagogue by The Chief Rabbi of Israel, HaGaon Maran Shlomo Amar Shlita. The audio file contains the Rabbi’s oration in Hebrew followed by Rabbi Mansour’s English interpretation.
There is a Halachic obligation called “Tosefet Shabbat” which requires adding some time onto the period of Shabbat, both at the beginning and at the end of Shabbat. The Sages inferred this obligation from a verse in the Torah dealing with Yom Kippur, and the Halachic authorities rule that it applies to Shabbat, as well.
Strictly speaking, the onset of Shabbat occurs at sundown. At that point, it is forbidden by force of Torah law to perform Melacha (activity forbidden on Shabbat). The period immediately after sunset – “Ben He’shemashot” – is one which the Sages were uncertain whether to classify as daytime or as nighttime, and it is therefore forbidden to perform Melacha during that period on Friday evening, as it is possible that Shabbat has already begun. The Halacha of “Tosefet Shabbat” thus requires accepting Shabbat at some point before sundown; since one must begin observing Shabbat in any event at sundown, the requirement to add onto Shabbat must be fulfilled before sundown. One should accept Shabbat as early as he can, but at least 15-20 minutes before sundown. Some have the practice to accept Shabbat forty minutes before sundown.
The Torah writes in the Book of Shemot (31:16), “Ve’shameru Beneh Yisrael Et Ha’Shabbat La’asot Et Ha’Shabbat” (“Beneh Yisrael shall observe the Shabbat – to make the Shabbat”). The question arises as to what the Torah means with the phrase, “to make the Shabbat.” How does a person “make” Shabbat? We observe Shabbat, fulfill the command of Shabbat, preserve the Shabbat, and so on. But in what way do we “make” the Shabbat?
The Or Ha’haim (Rabbi Haim Ben Atar, 1691-1743) alludes to an explanation of this verse that relates to the Halacha of “Tosefet Shabbat.” Namely, by observing this requirement, one “makes” a Shabbat. If a person adds fifteen minutes to Shabbat on Friday afternoon, and then another fifteen minutes after Shabbat, then he adds a half-hour of Shabbat each week. In a month, which contains four Shabbatot, he adds two hours. Thus, over a twelve-month year, one adds twenty-four hours of Shabbat – a complete day. This is the meaning of the verse: when Beneh Yisrael observe the Shabbat, fulfilling the requirement of “Tosefet Shabbat,” then they “make Shabbat,” as the additional time combines to form an entire Shabbat each year. The Sages describe Shabbat as a special, priceless gift that God has given the Jewish people. It is customary when receiving a gift to reciprocate. The way we “reciprocate” to God for this wonderful gift of Shabbat is by “giving” Him, so-to-speak a Shabbat, through the Misva of “Tosefet Shabbat.”
The value of this Misva of “Tosefet Shabbat” cannot be overstated. A student of the Hafetz Haim (Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1933) told that there was once a child who took gravely ill, and the physicians were unable to cure him. In desperation, the parents approached the Hafetz Haim for guidance. He urged them to begin Shabbat early each week, ensuring to have the table set and the candles lit well before the fifteen-minute period prior to sundown. The couple followed his advice, and the child was miraculously cured. Such is the extent of the reward for fulfilling this Halacha of “Tosefet Shabbat.” During the winter months, it can sometimes be very difficult to have everything prepared in time to add a significant period onto Shabbat, but every effort must be made to fulfill this special requirement.
