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DAAT · LEVEL 1 — INTRODUCTION
Siman רמ״ב · Seif Alef
The honor of Shabbat — to discover and understand
סימן רמ״ב · סעיף א'
להזהר בכבוד השבת
🌱 Introductory level · Beginners
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A first approach to Seif Alef: Hebrew text, clear English translation, pedagogical explanations, comparative tables and comprehension questions.
Topic: The obligation to honor Shabbat according to one's means
Source: שולחן ערוך אורח חיים סימן רמ״ב סעיף א'
Compiled by: Rav Yossef Haim Samama
DAAT · daattorah.com
📑 Study outline
1. The text of the Shulchan Aroukh
2. First question: is the mitzvah from the Torah or from the Sages?
3. The central dilemma: how do I honor Shabbat according to my means?
4. The three categories of people according to the Taz
5. The poor man and tzedakah: may one take for Shabbat?
6. Borrowing for Shabbat: permitted or forbidden?
7. Tikkun Ezra: laundering clothes on Thursday
8. The origin of the Challot: why knead bread at home?
9. Practical summary and rules to remember
10. Comprehension questions
1. The text of the Shulchan Aroukh
Original text
אֲפִלּוּ מִי שֶׁצָּרִיךְ לַאֲחֵרִים, אִם יֵשׁ לוֹ מְעַט מִשֶּׁלּוֹ צָרִיךְ לְזָרֵז אֶת עַצְמוֹ לְכַבֵּד אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת. וְלֹא אָמְרוּ "עֲשֵׂה שַׁבַּתְּךָ חֹל וְאַל תִּצְטָרֵךְ לַבְּרִיּוֹת" אֶלָּא לְמִי שֶׁהַשָּׁעָה דְּחוּקָה לוֹ בְּיוֹתֵר. עַל כֵּן צָרִיךְ לְצַמְצֵם בִּשְׁאָר יָמִים כְּדֵי לְכַבֵּד אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת. מִתַּקָּנַת עֶזְרָא שֶׁיִּהְיוּ מְכַבְּסִים בְּגָדִים בַּחֲמִישִׁי בַּשַּׁבָּת מִפְּנֵי כְּבוֹד הַשַּׁבָּת. הגה: נוֹהֲגִין לָלוּשׁ כְּדֵי שִׁעוּר חַלָּה בַּבַּיִת לַעֲשׂוֹת מֵהֶם לְחָמִים לִבְצֹעַ עֲלֵיהֶם בְּשַׁבָּת וְיוֹם טוֹב [סמך ממרדכי ריש מסכת ר"ה], וְהוּא מִכְּבוֹד שַׁבָּת וְיוֹם טוֹב וְאֵין לְשַׁנּוֹת. יֵשׁ שֶׁכָּתְבוּ שֶׁבִּקְצָת מְקוֹמוֹת נָהֲגוּ לֶאֱכֹל מוּלְיְתָא שֶׁקּוֹרִין פשטיד"א בְּלֵיל שַׁבָּת, זֵכֶר לַמָּן שֶׁהָיָה מְכֻסֶּה לְמַעְלָה [מהרי"ל, וְלֹא רָאִיתִי לָחוּשׁ לָזֶה].
English translation
Even one who needs help from others — provided he has at least a little of his own — must rouse himself to honor the Shabbat. And they only said "make your Shabbat a weekday and do not depend upon others" regarding one whose situation is truly extremely dire. Therefore, one must cut back on the other days of the week in order to honor the Shabbat. Among the takanot of Ezra: that people launder clothes on Thursday, in honor of Shabbat. Hagahah of the Rema: The minhag is to knead at home a dough the size of the shiur of challah, to make from it loaves on which to be motzi on Shabbos and Yom Tov [support from the Mordechai, beginning of Maseches Rosh Hashanah] — this is part of kevod Shabbos and Yom Tov, and one should not deviate. Some write that in certain places the minhag is to eat a filled pastry called pashtida on leil Shabbos, as a remembrance of the mann which was covered from above [Maharil — and I have not seen reason to be concerned for this].
The central idea in one sentence: almost everyone is obligated to honor the Shabbat — the exemption applies only in cases of absolute extreme poverty.
2. First question — Torah or Sages?
Even before grasping the practical details, the Rishonim debate a fundamental question:
The question: Is the mitzvah of עונג שבת (the delight of Shabbat):
- An obligation from the Torah (מן התורה)?
- Or only an obligation from the Prophets / Sages (מדברי קבלה / מדרבנן)?
The two opinions
| Opinion | Source | Position |
|---|---|---|
| From the Torah | Rashi · Ramban · Yereim · Rivash | The verse "מקראי קודש" (Vayikra 23:2) includes the obligation to make Shabbat a day of feasting (משתה) — a Torah obligation. |
| From the Sages | Rambam (Hil. Shabbat 30:1) | Four things were said regarding Shabbat: two from the Torah (זכור and שמור), and two from the Sages (כבוד and עונג) — expounded by the Prophets: "וקראת לשבת ענג". |
Why this distinction matters:
- If דאורייתא (from the Torah) → absolute obligation, more stringent
- If דרבנן (from the Sages) → strong obligation but with greater flexibility
In practice: even according to those who hold it is from the Sages, one must be very vigilant. The Shulchan Aroukh of the Admur HaZaken and the Shaar haTziyoun write that these obligations are more precious than Torah obligations — one who honors Shabbat receives an extraordinary reward (az titaneg al Hashem) and is saved from Gehinom.
3. The central dilemma
The Gemara (Shabbat 118b) presents two teachings that appear to contradict one another:
Teaching A — Honor generously
"בַּמֶּה מְעַנְּגוֹ? אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר שִׁילַת מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב: בְּתַבְשִׁיל שֶׁל תְּרָדִין וְדָגִים גְּדוֹלִים וְרָאשֵׁי שׁוּמִין"
"With what does one honor Shabbat? With a dish of beets, large fish, and heads of garlic" — Rav Yehuda
"With what does one honor Shabbat? With a dish of beets, large fish, and heads of garlic" — Rav Yehuda
→ One must honor Shabbat with important, refined foods.
Teaching B — Even a little suffices
"רַב חִיָּיא בַּר אַשִׁי אָמַר רַב: אֲפִלּוּ דָּבָר מוּעָט, וּלִכְבוֹד שַׁבָּת זֶה עֲשָׂאוֹ — הֲרֵי זֶה עוֹנֶג"
"Even a small thing, if it is done for the honor of Shabbat — this is already oneg"
"Even a small thing, if it is done for the honor of Shabbat — this is already oneg"
→ Even a little is enough, such as a simple כסא דהרסנא (small fish fried in their own fat with flour).
Teaching C — "Make your Shabbat a weekday"
"אָמַר רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא: עֲשֵׂה שַׁבַּתְּךָ חֹל וְאַל תִּצְטָרֵךְ לַבְּרִיּוֹת"
"Rabbi Akiva said: make your Shabbat a weekday — and do not become dependent upon others"
"Rabbi Akiva said: make your Shabbat a weekday — and do not become dependent upon others"
→ Apparently, in certain cases, one is not obligated to honor Shabbat at all.
Teaching D — But still!
"תָּנָא דְּבֵי אֵלִיָּהוּ: אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאָמַר רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא 'עֲשֵׂה שַׁבַּתְּךָ חֹל', אֲבָל עוֹשֶׂה הוּא דָּבָר מוּעָט בְּתוֹךְ בֵּיתוֹ"
"Even according to Rabbi Akiva — who says 'make your Shabbat a weekday' — one must at least do some small thing in his home"
"Even according to Rabbi Akiva — who says 'make your Shabbat a weekday' — one must at least do some small thing in his home"
How is this tension resolved? This is precisely the great discussion of the Tur, the Beit Yossef and the Acharonim. The Shulchan Aroukh rules by distinguishing three levels of wealth.
4. The three categories of people (Taz)
The Taz, after a lengthy analysis, concludes that the teachings of the Gemara address three different economic situations:
| Category | Situation | Obligation |
|---|---|---|
| ① The wealthy (who has everything) |
Earns enough for his needs | 🟢 Refined foods (meat, fish, etc.) according to his means |
| ② The middling (who has little but needs help) |
Has a little, but must receive from others to live | 🟡 At minimum a כסא דהרסנא (a small preparation marking the honor) |
| ③ The extreme pauper (who has nothing of his own) |
Lives entirely on communal assistance | 🔴 Exempt — may "make his Shabbat a weekday" |
The classification criterion is the following: "does he have anything of his own?"
- If he has everything → category 1
- If he has a little (a small income, even if insufficient) → category 2
- If he has absolutely nothing → category 3
The deeper teaching of the Tur
The Tur adds a spiritual dimension: each person should endeavor, during the week, to reduce his expenses in order to be able to honor Shabbat. "כי אדרבה אם יוסיף, מוסיפין לו" — on the contrary, one who spends for Shabbat will see Hashem add to him in return.
5. The poor man and tzedakah for Shabbat
The basic rule
"מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ מְזוֹן אַרְבַּע עֶשְׂרֵה סְעוּדוֹת — לֹא יִטּוֹל מִן הַקֻּפָּה" (פאה פ״ח מ״ז)
"One who has food for 14 meals (= 2 per day for 7 days) does not take from the communal fund"
"One who has food for 14 meals (= 2 per day for 7 days) does not take from the communal fund"
This raises a problem: 14 meals = 2 per day. But on Shabbat, one must eat 3 meals! Does the pauper then have no right to communal funds for the third meal?
The opinions
| Opinion | Position |
|---|---|
| Bach | The pauper who has nothing may receive from tzedakah what is needed for 3 meals + a כסא דהרסנא |
| Rambam (according to one interpretation) | If the pauper truly has nothing (category 3), no tzedakah for the 3rd seudah — he is exempt |
| Mishna Berura | One gives to the poor according to his dignity — if he is accustomed to better, one gives him more |
6. Borrowing to honor Shabbat?
The Gemara (Beitsa 15b) recounts an extraordinary scene:
"אָמַר לָהֶם הַבּוֹרֵא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל בָּנַי, לְווּ עָלַי וְקַדְּשׁוּ קְדֻשַּׁת הַיּוֹם, וְהַאֲמִינוּ בִּי וַאֲנִי פּוֹרֵעַ"
"Hashem said to Israel: 'My children, borrow on My account and sanctify the holiness of the day — trust in Me and I will repay!'"
"Hashem said to Israel: 'My children, borrow on My account and sanctify the holiness of the day — trust in Me and I will repay!'"
The debate — may one borrow with interest from a non-Jew?
| Case | Halakha |
|---|---|
| Borrow on credit (without interest) for Shabbat | 🟢 Permitted and even encouraged (Maharil, Beit Yossef) |
| Borrow with a pledge (משכון) — without dependence on others | 🟢 Permitted |
| Borrow relying on the divine promise ("לוו עלי") | 🟢 Permitted (but Maharshal and Maharsha hesitate — risk of falling into "לוה רשע ולא ישלם") |
| Borrow with interest from a non-Jew | 🟡 Mahloket — see Yerushalmi, Hagra, Mahari Halevi |
The spiritual lesson: one who spends to honor Shabbat — Hashem reimburses him. The Maharil and many Acharonim encourage borrowing (without interest) rather than diminishing the honor of Shabbat.
7. Tikkun Ezra — Laundering clothes on Thursday
The text of the Mehaber
מִתַּקָּנַת עֶזְרָא שֶׁיִּהְיוּ מְכַבְּסִים בְּגָדִים בַּחֲמִישִׁי בַּשַּׁבָּת מִפְּנֵי כְּבוֹד הַשַּׁבָּת.
Translation
The Mehaber: among the takanot of Ezra — that people launder clothes on the 5th day of the week (= Thursday) in honor of Shabbat.
Why Thursday and not Friday?
For two reasons (Bava Kama 82a):
- So that clothes are ready and clean in time for Shabbat — Friday is already busy with preparations
- So that Friday is entirely devoted to Shabbat preparations (cooking, cleaning, shopping) without having to do laundry
Discussion among the Acharonim
| Acharon | Understanding of Tikkun Ezra |
|---|---|
| Magen Avraham | The aim is to have clean clothes for Shabbat — therefore even laundering on Friday is technically permitted if necessary |
| Eliyahu Rabba · Mishna Berura | The aim is for Friday to be free for the other preparations — therefore one should avoid laundering on Friday |
8. The origin of the minhag of the Challot
The text of the Rama
הגה: נוֹהֲגִין לָלוּשׁ כְּדֵי שִׁעוּר חַלָּה בַּבַּיִת לַעֲשׂוֹת מֵהֶם לְחָמִים לִבְצֹעַ עֲלֵיהֶם בְּשַׁבָּת וְיוֹם טוֹב [סמך ממרדכי ריש מסכת ר"ה], וְהוּא מִכְּבוֹד שַׁבָּת וְיוֹם טוֹב וְאֵין לְשַׁנּוֹת. יֵשׁ שֶׁכָּתְבוּ שֶׁבִּקְצָת מְקוֹמוֹת נָהֲגוּ לֶאֱכֹל מוּלְיְתָא שֶׁקּוֹרִין פשטיד"א בְּלֵיל שַׁבָּת, זֵכֶר לַמָּן שֶׁהָיָה מְכֻסֶּה לְמַעְלָה [מהרי"ל, וְלֹא רָאִיתִי לָחוּשׁ לָזֶה].
Translation
Hagahah of the Rema: The minhag is to knead at home a dough the size of the shiur of challah, to make from it loaves on which to be motzi on Shabbos and Yom Tov [support from the Mordechai, beginning of Maseches Rosh Hashanah] — this is part of kevod Shabbos and Yom Tov, and one should not deviate. Some write that in certain places the minhag is to eat a filled pastry called pashtida on leil Shabbos, as a remembrance of the mann which was covered from above [Maharil — and I have not seen reason to be concerned for this].
Why knead at home?
Several reasons:
- Mitzvat Hafrashat Challah — the taking of challah, in memory of the terumah (תרומה) of the Temple
- Atoning for the sin of Chava — according to the Yerushalmi (Shabbat 2:6), Adam Harishon was the challah of the world (יצירה ראשונה), and Chava caused his fall by having him eat from the tree — the woman of the house thus rectifies this by taking challah on the eve of Shabbat
- Have a certainly kosher bread — avoiding bread of a non-Jew
- Honor of Shabbat — fresh bread made at home
9. Practical synthesis of Seif Alef
The 5 teachings of Seif Alef in 5 sentences:
- Everyone must honor Shabbat — except the absolute extreme pauper
- The honor is measured by one's means: refinement for the wealthy, the symbolic for the middling, nothing for one who has nothing
- It is preferable to borrow without interest than to diminish the honor of Shabbat — Hashem promises to reimburse
- Launder clothes on Thursday, not Friday — Tikkun Ezra
- Knead bread at home in the quantity of challah — a minhag to preserve
Practical decision table
| Situation | Conduct |
|---|---|
| I earn a good living | Refined foods, meat, fish, wine according to my means |
| I earn just what I need | At minimum 3 meals, and a dish marking the honor |
| I earn little and receive assistance | At minimum a כסא דהרסנא + 3 meals |
| I am in extreme distress | Exempt — 2 meals suffice |
| I lack money for Shabbat | Borrow without interest (best), or with a pledge |
10. Comprehension questions
Check your understanding:
- What is the difference between the opinion of the Rambam and that of Rashi regarding the nature of the mitzvah of oneg Shabbat?
- Name the 3 categories of people according to the Taz and their respective obligations.
- What does "עשה שבתך חול" mean? To whom is this teaching addressed?
- What is a כסא דהרסנא? Why is it important in our Seif?
- Why did the Tikkun Ezra set the 5th day (Thursday) for laundering clothes?
- Give 2 reasons for the minhag of kneading bread at home.
- Hashem says "לוו עלי" — to whom is He speaking and why is this extraordinary?
- May the absolute pauper take from tzedakah for the 3rd seudah of Shabbat? Explain.
To go further
If you want to delve deeper into this Seif:
- 📚 Level 3 — Lamdan: for pilpul, the שיטות ראשונים and the nuances of the Acharonim
- ✨ Level 3 — Synthesis: for review and quick memorization
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סימן רמ״ב סעיף א' · Level 1 — Introduction
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