Actively Refraining

… these are the things which the Lord has commanded that you shall do them. Exodus 35:1

Malbim notes that while the verse speaks of things which God commanded to do (i.e., actively), the context is Shabbat, which essentially involves refraining from creative activity (m’lacha). Malbim then explains the p’shat (simple meaning) of the verse: it actually refers to the work necessary to build the Tabernacle, thus Shabbat is mentioned to teach that one may not desecrate Shabbat to build the Tabernacle, as our Sages noted.

My father offered an explanation on the drash (homiletic) level. Refraining from m’lacha on Shabbat is only the basis for Shabbat observance, not its full realization. Ideally, a Jew should use the resting of Shabbat to recharge his/her spiritual batteries through Torah study and appreciation of the sanctity of Shabbat. Refraining from m’lacha is a means for linking with one’s neshama yeteira (additional soul) and making spiritual progress. By experiencing the sanctity of Shabbat and bringing that sanctity into our lives, Shabbat observance goes well beyond refraining from m’lacha and indeed becomes an active observance.

My father pointed out that this approach is implied in the verse in last week’s Parasha:

Wherefore the Children of Israel shall keep the Shabbat, to observe the Shabbat … Exodus 31:16

Our Sages teach us that the word v’shameru (shall keep) implies a negative command. Thus, the verse instructs that one who refrains from m’lacha on Shabbat should reach the level of observing, that is, the active stage. Indeed, it is experiencing the sanctity of Shabbat, not refraining from desecrating Shabbat which is the goal of the mitzva.