SHABBOS - THE GREAT GIFT

God said to Moses. I have a wonderful gift among my treasures and it is called the Sabbath and I wish to give it to the Children of Israel. Go and tell them of this"
(Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Shabbath. 10b).

            Even the vast treasuries of mighty kings, do not include all the precious stones and gems that are found on this earth. The greater the king, of course, the larger his collection of jewels and precious stones. Indeed by Hashem, our G-d, who is the King of Kings, certainly every kind of precious stone and gem and silver and gold can be found in His vast treasury.

            From all the potential gifts He could offer, our blessed God praised not the jewels nor the precious stones, but the Sabbath, which he called a "wonderful gift". Certainly there must be no way to fully value its importance and worth. Therefore, how much must a man yearn to receive a portion of this wonderful gift -- The Gift of the Holy Day of Shabbos!

(Rabbi Yisroel Meir HaKohen Kagan, "the Chofetz Chaim")

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