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“And the L-RD spoke unto Moses, saying: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: The appointed seasons of the L-RD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My appointed seasons.” – Leviticus 23:1-3 JPS 1917 Tanach The parashas speaks of the moadim – the holidays that are called “appointed seasons,” that have become the mainstay of the Jewish calendar year. Included amongst the list of moadim is the Sabbath. The Sabbath is mentioned first, denoting its primacy in relationship to the other moadim – Passover, Shavuous, Rosh HaShannah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. According to the Talmud, the source of the Shabbos is different from that of the festivals. In the prayer of the Kiddush, the blessing over the wine on Friday evening, the Sabbath is described as “the first of the holy convocations.” The Sabbath is also described in the Kiddush prayer as a memorial of creation, and a remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt. The day of rest reminds of G-d resting after Creation, establishing the moadim (festivals) and removing us from slavery; for as slaves, we had no rest. Tradition teaches that on Shabbat, we can get a glimpse of Olam Haba (the World-to-Come). Moreover, the Sabbath is likened to the Messianic Kingdom, based on the commandment of Shemitah: in like manner that the land lies fallow in the seventh year, after six days of being worked, so too, will there be a millennial Shabbos after six thousand years of history. According to tradition, the thousand year Shabbos is the first part of eternity. “The world is to exist six thousand years. In the first two thousand there was desolation; two thousand years the Torah flourished; and the next two thousand years is the Messianic era.” – Sanhedrin 981-b It is interesting to note, the above commentary refers to the Messianic era as compromising two thousand years – the latter third of the six thousand years of history. By this calculation, the Messianic era has already begun. Commentary mentions the expectation that Messiah would arrive during this time period. Yet, how is it possible that the era has already begun two thousand years ago? “Turn away from your sins, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2, TLV). When Yeshua entered Jerusalem riding upon a donkey, this fulfilled the prophecy in regard to the entrance of Messiah: Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you, a righteous one bringing salvation. He is lowly, riding on a donkey— on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9, TLV). “Hinei [Behold] the Malchut H’Shem [Kingdom of G-d] is within you” (Lukas 17:21, Orthodox Jewish Bible). “The Malchut H’Shem [Kingdom of G-d] is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the tzedek (righteousness), shalom (peace) and simcha (joy) b’Ruach HaKodesh [in the Holy Spirit]” (Kehillah in Rome 14:17, OJB). On Shabbos, we enjoy three festive meals, with wine, bread and a warm entre. This represents the banquet in Shomayim (Heaven). We rejoice on the day of rest; yet, the greater joy is at hand: “Many will come from the east and from the west to take their places at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven with Avraham, Yitz’chak and Ya’akov” (Matthew 8:11, CJB).