Zemiros aren’t just a nice addition to the Shabbos meal; they go to the heart of what Shabbos is
Zemiros aren’t just a nice addition to the Shabbos meal; they go to the heart of what Shabbos is. In his sefer Zichronos Eliyahu, Rav Eliyahu Mani writes that the word Shabbos is an acronym for “shirah bo tomar — Upon it, song shall be said.”
The Chida (Pnei Dovid, Bereishis) cites Rabbeinu Efraim, who says this concept is alluded to in the Chumash. When the Torah describes the oncoming of the very first Shabbos it says, “Vayechulu hashamayim v’ha’aretz — and Hashem completed the heaven and earth.” Rabbeinu Efraim expounds on the pasuk homiletically, explaining that the “heaven and earth” are an allusion to the body. The pasuk continues, “v’chol tzeva’am — and all its legions.” In line with the metaphor, Rabbeinu Efraim says that this is a reference to the bones and sinews.
Finally, the pasuk says, “Vayechal Elokim bayom hashvi’i — and Hashem concluded on the seventh day.” This, says Rabbeinu Efraim, parallels the final touch on human life: the mouth. The body of a fetus can be complete while in utero, but it cannot speak. The power of the mouth begins when the rest of the work is complete.
Similarly, the Sefer Yetzirah says that there are seven gateways in the body. Two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, and, finally, the mouth. “Vayevarech Elokim es yom hashvi’i,” says the pasuk. Hashem blessed this seventh day, this seventh organ called the mouth.
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