The Jew’s were forgiven for the sin of the Golden Calf on Yom Kippur, making it the holy day of atonement for all of history. Directly following Yom Kippur, Moses instructed the Jews to construct the Mishkan – the Tabernacle - a holy sanctuary for G-d’s presence in this world.

The construction and service of the Mishkan, and later on, the Holy Temple, were the basis for the laws of Shabbat. The work done within the Mishkan is the work we are commanded to cease performing on Shabbat.

From here we can learn the precise formula for living a G-dly and faith filled life.

G-d is the Creator of all existence. In this world of concealment, G-d’s presence is not evident in the details. He conceals Himself within creation so that we may seek Him out and find faith and connection to Him.

The Mishkan, the sanctuary for G-d’s presence, is the macrocosm of our own microcosm, our daily lives. The concept of work, of making a living, is about making a vessel for G-d’s blessings, a container for G-d’s presence within the concealment of this world. Yom Kippur is called Shabbat Shabbaton, the greatest of all Shabbats. Shabbat is the time where we pause in our work, in our creating of vessels, and acknowledge the source of blessings.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe teaches us that the reason that we must work and create this vessel for G-d’s blessings is to give G-d plausible deniability. To allow G-d to remain concealed within creation. We must remain mindful that our work is a way of creating a channel for these blessings. Working longer hours, toiling endlessly, and forgetting the source of blessing is a fool’s errand that leads to disconnection from G-d, from our faith, from our families and from our inner essence. Creating that space, that Shabbat, to pause and connect with G-d will generate tremendous blessing, far beyond what any human effort can achieve.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Zushe Cunin