אמר רב יהודה אמר רב אלמלי שמרו ישראל שבת ראשונה לא שלטה בהן אומה ולשון שנאמר (שמות טז, כז) ויהי ביום השביעי יצאו מן העם ללקוט וכתיב בתריה ויבא עמלק אמר רבי יוחנן משום רבי שמעון בן יוחי אלמלי משמרין ישראל שתי שבתות כהלכתן מיד נגאלים שנא' (ישעיהו נו, ד) כה אמר ה' לסריסים אשר ישמרו את שבתותי וכתיב בתריה והביאותים אל הר קדשי וגו'
R. Hiyya b. Abba said in R. Johanan's name: He who observes the Sabbath according to its laws, even if he practises idolatry like the generation of Enosh,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Gen. IV, 26. According to tradition idolatry commenced in his days.
');"><sup>9</sup></span> is forgiven, for it is said, Blessed is Enosh<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' E.V. 'the man'.
');"><sup>10</sup></span> that doeth this … [that keepeth the Sabbath <i>mehallelo</i> from profaning it]:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Isa. LVI, 2.
');"><sup>11</sup></span>
Shenei Luchot HaBerit
ומקדשי תיראו . Relating to the Sanctuary with a sense of awe and remembering whose abode it is will implant within us [our hearts] the necessary reverence and humility even before we enter the Temple there to present our prayers. Nowadays, due to our sins, the synagogue takes the place of the Temple, and we call it the מקדש מעט the miniature sanctuary. We should relate to it as well as to the Torah scholars with the proper amount of reverence.
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Kav HaYashar
The Sages have said that if Israel had only kept their first Shabbos properly no nation or language could ever have had dominion over them and if they would only keep two Shabbosos they would immediately be redeemed (Shabbos 118b). This is because the commandment of the Shabbos is equal to the entire Torah (Shemos Rabbah 25:12). The Sages also say that whoever takes delight in the Shabbos is granted an unlimited inheritance (Shabbos 118b).
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