* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
“Don’t wait until Friday!” a wise woman told me yesterday. “Write already today that this Shabbat will be the last Shabbat of the year so that people can get ready.”
So here is my message for Thursday: Tomorrow night will be the last Shabbat of 5786. Our sages explain that this is a special Shabbat because it “repairs” all the Shabbatot of the past year, and impacts the Shabbatot of the year that is about to begin.
It is our last opportunity of the year to demonstrate how important and precious Shabbat is for us. Therefore, people try to add a special dimension to this Shabbat in order to honor it more.
Everyone is encouraged to think of something small but gratifying. For example, we can try to get your preparations done early so that we can light candles calmly and not under stress. Since Shabbat is so important to us, we should aim to be prepared for it ahead of time instead of having Shabbat wait for us!
Perhaps you can think of something unique that you and your family don’t usually do, or about someone who may be waiting for a Shabbat invitation. Of course, you should learn more Torah on Shabbat, recite special prayers, read chapters from Tehillim (there is a custom to read the entire book of Tehillim on Shabbat), add more Shabbat songs, etc.
I invite you to think about this for yourself and to share your ideas with others: What are your plans for the last Shabbat of the year?
Shabbat Shalom.
