“You must not kindle a fire in all your dwelling places on the day of Shabbos.” (Shemos 35:3)

Perhaps the most trying time of the week is Friday afternoon close to sunset, especially close to Shabbos candle lighting time. People are anxious and tense, for Shabbos is coming and everything must be completed – OR ELSE! While I am not sure what the “or else” is, I think we all have this same feeling. Therefore, sometime during the week before it comes to “crunch time” would be an excellent time to think about our reactions during this high-pressure time. Will we become angry, or will we be able to maintain our composure and enter Shabbos in a calm state?

The Zohar (in his tikkunim) comments on the above verse, that this is a special commandment not to become angry on Shabbos. Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz (1902-1979) points to many sources such as Rashi (31:15) that it is not enough for one to just rest, but instead it must be a “complete rest”; a rest on a much deeper level.  What is this concept and why is this necessary on Shabbos?  Indeed, what does it mean to have a deeper rest?

Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz explains how to achieve a deep, complete rest. He says that this is achieved by controlling oneself to the point that negative external influences do not even bother him. There is something under the surface, but he is able to control it and be at ease. However, the ultimate rest is when something doesn’t bother you at all. How does one achieve such serenity? I believe that if we would really embrace the idea that on Shabbos all of our work is completed, this would lead us to feel totally enveloped by Hashem, thereby precluding any kind of anxiety. This total release of pressure will result in complete tranquility.

Thus, the mitzvah of keeping the sanctity of Shabbos, and the idea that the Zohar sets forth not to be angry, are one and the same. They both present a person living in Hashem’s world.

Let us now re-examine the erev Shabbos crunch.

Reuven the camper goes swimming in the pool, frolicking in the water with his friends for a while, and then goes up to the deck to soak up the sun. The lifeguard then announces on the loudspeaker, “10 minute warning, then everyone out of the pool!” While some will begin to make their way out of the pool at this announcement, there are some like Reuven who will jump off the deck to chap arayn – seizing the last opportunity to get into the pool for the day.

Perhaps, the Yetzer Hara is doing the same on erev Shabbos. When there are only a few minutes for him to chap arayn – use his last opportunity to create arguments, disruption, and bad feelings, for once the Shabbos begins, the Yetzer hara knows he will be out of business. Not only that, but the Yetzer Hara understands that if he gets us angry on Erev Shabbos, he might succeed in putting a “chink in the armor” of Shabbos, because the anger could – chas v’shalom – spill over into the Holy Shabbos day itself! Our job is remain aware about this idea before Shabbos, in order to ensure that we are able to achieve the deeper rest that is befitting of the Holy day.

May we merit to outsmart the Yetzer Hara this week – and every week.