Ah, the radiant joy of Shabbat! It is a gift that descends upon us, granting a momentary reprieve from the burdens that weigh upon our hearts. Joy, in its purest form, paints a state of blissful contentment within our minds, where sorrows are gently veiled and ‘remembered’ no more.
But Shabbat offers something even more profound: oneg, a delight that transcends the mental realm and resonates through every fiber of our being. It is an immense overflow of joy, a symphony of the soul that awakens every cell to its Divine potential.
In the merit of reaching this lofty plane of inner joy, our souls yearn for closeness to the Divine, and our capacity to grasp the profound wisdom of Torah is amplified. By drenching the neshama yeteira (additional soul) of Shabbat in this radiant joy, our entire being is empowered to devote its strength, its passion, and its very essence to serving Hashem with unwavering devotion.
