DVAR HALACHA 4

DVAR HALACHA 4

 

The Mishnah Berurah (Orach Chaim, siman reish nun, seif katan beis), quoting the Magen Avraham, writes that it is proper for a person to verbally say “l’kavod Shabbos” on items that he purchases for Shabbos.

He explains that through one’s dibur, kedushah settles upon the item. When we use our speech to designate something for Shabbos, we elevate it.

An early source for this practice is brought by the Likutei Mahariach, who cites the Midrash Rabbah on Esther (perek zayin, halacha yud beis).

There, Haman attempts to persuade Achashveirosh to decree against the Jews and complains that the Jews are constantly eating and drinking while saying, “This is for the sake of oneg Shabbos and oneg Yom Tov,” and that this drives up the market prices.

The Midrash concludes that Hashem responded midah k’neged midah. Since Haman used our Yom Tov seudos as an accusation against us, Hashem added another Yom Tov with another seudah called Purim.

This Midrash shows that verbally dedicating food to Shabbos and Yom Tov was already a recognized minhag.

Although the Mishnah Berurah discusses saying “l’kavod Shabbos” when purchasing items, the Siddur Yaavetz notes from the wording of the Mahariach that it is also proper to say “l’kavod Shabbos” on Shabbos itself before eating the seudah.

In this way, our speech transforms an ordinary act of eating into an act of avodas Hashem.

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