When Friday finds you tired, Shabbat can widen your heart

Hi friends!

Have you ever reached Friday feeling so drained that even enjoying Shabbat seems like something you have to find energy for? I want to share a beautiful teaching that can help you welcome the day with more hope.

The chachamim teach that Hashem gives an additional neshamah for Shabbat—the neshamah yeterah (Beitzah 16a). Rashi explains it with the words רוחב לב למנוחה ולשמחה—a broadening of the heart for rest and joy. Rashi even includes the ability to enjoy eating and drinking in that explanation.

That is such a beautiful insight! Hashem gives a gift that helps you receive the goodness of Shabbat. The enjoyment of a meal has a place in this spiritual gift. Something as ordinary as enjoying your food can be part of welcoming a day of kedushah.

If your heart feels tired after the week, this teaching gives you a reason to look forward with hope. The way you feel as Friday begins need not decide how you will feel throughout Shabbat. Hashem can renew your capacity to rest and enjoy, even when you arrive feeling depleted.

You may find yourself smiling during a familiar nigun, enjoying a meal, or feeling grateful for an unhurried conversation. When a moment like that comes, let yourself enjoy it. You can recognize the good Hashem is giving you without checking whether everything else in your life is already settled.

One small way to welcome this gift: during a nigun this Shabbat, pause the conversation in your mind and let yourself enjoy singing. If worry returns, come back to the melody without judging yourself. This is one practical way to welcome the rest and joy described by Rashi.

May Hashem bless you with a Shabbat that brings renewed strength, simchah, and warmth into your heart and home!

Which part of this Shabbat gift are you especially looking forward to—rest for your heart, the joy of a nigun, or enjoying a Shabbat meal?

If someone you love could use this encouragement before Shabbat, share this page with them. You can also request to join the Lev Emunah community.

Shabbat shalom—with love and blessings,
Rabbi Rachamim Bitton

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