Q&A: Studying on the Sabbath
Studying on the Sabbath
Question
Hello Rabbi, is there a source for the idea that Torah study on the Sabbath is considered greater? Is that really the case?
By straightforward reasoning, it דווקא seems to me not to make sense, especially considering that we see that the measure of doing something for the sake of Heaven is precisely what elevates the value of a particular commandment.
Answer
If you mean a primary source (a verse or rabbinic exposition), I don’t think so. In various books you can find whatever you want. I wouldn’t attach much importance to this.
I didn’t understand how this discussion is connected to doing something for the sake of Heaven.
Discussion on Answer
There’s no connection. You’re comparing the Sabbath to weekdays when the act is done with the same intentions. For example: someone who studied for the sake of Heaven on a weekday versus that same learner studying for the sake of Heaven on the Sabbath. Or alternatively: someone who studied not for the sake of Heaven on a weekday versus on the Sabbath. There’s no point in comparing study for the sake of Heaven on a weekday to study not for the sake of Heaven on the Sabbath, or vice versa.
"The kabbalists of blessed memory wrote: the effect produced by engagement in Torah study on the Sabbath is a thousand times greater than that produced by engagement in Torah study on weekdays" (second year, in the introduction to the portion of Shemot).
Thank you very much, Rabbi and Shai.
Seemingly, an act done for the sake of Heaven has greater value.
And by straightforward reasoning it seems that this is the only criterion, not the time at which the act is done (-the Sabbath), for it to be on a higher level. Especially when, in dry Jewish law, the act itself is not unique to a specific time.