DVAR HALACHA 29

DVAR HALACHA 29

The Shulchan Aruch in siman reish samech ches, se’if alef rules that we say Vayechulu as part of the Friday night Shemoneh Esrei. The Mishnah Berurah in se’if katan alef adds that if one accidentally omitted Vayechulu, he does not repeat the Shemoneh Esrei.

The Mishnah Berurah quotes the Gemara in Shabbos daf kuf yud tes amud beis, where Rav Hamnuna teaches that whoever says Vayechulu in the Friday night tefillah becomes a "partner with HaKadosh Baruch Hu" in Ma'aseh Bereishis.

The Maharsha explains that although Hashem created the world, the purpose of Creation is only realized when mankind recognizes Him as its Creator. Since Hashem created the world through dibur, when we verbally proclaim Vayechulu, affirming that Hashem created the world and rested on the seventh day, we become partners in fulfilling the very purpose of Creation.

The Bnei Yissaschar, quoted in Ta'amei HaMinhagim, develops this idea even further. The Torah says, "Ki sheishes yamim asah Hashem..." rather than "Ki b'sheishes yamim." He explains that Hashem established a template of six days followed by Shabbos. The six days themselves are not the ultimate goal; they lead to Shabbos, when we recognize Hashem as the Creator and continuous Mashgiach over the world.

Every week, by observing Shabbos and proclaiming Vayechulu, we reaffirm the purpose of Creation and provide justification, for the beginning of another week. If there were to chas v’shalom be a week where nobody kept Shabbos, the world would cease to exist. In this sense, one who recites Vayechulu is truly a shutaf with HaKadosh Baruch Hu in Ma'aseh Bereishis, helping bring Creation to its intended purpose and justifies the creation of the next sheishes yamim.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Reuven Eidlitz

Yeshiva Eitz Chaim, Monsey NY  

This dvar halacha is l’zchus refuah sheleima for Avraham ben Chaya Leah and Shmuel Avigdor ben Rivka b’soch sha’ar choley Yisroel