The Source of All Blessings

“And they shall place My Name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” (Bamidbar 6:27) 

The Shabbat Will Keep You 

During the time of the Chaffetz Chaim zt”l, there lived a man of immense wealth whose suffering was as vast as his fortune. He and his family were plagued by severe illnesses, and the doctors had all but given up hope—no remedy or cure could be found. 

This man was far removed from Torah and mitzvot, and he ran his businesses on Shabbat just as he would on any weekday. 

One day, he happened to meet a prominent merchant who was a true god-fearing man who scrupulously observed the mitzvot. During their conversation, the wealthy man opened up about his anguish, describing how all his money meant nothing while his entire family endured unbearable suffering from incurable ailments. 

The merchant suggested he go see the Chaffetz Chaim and request a blessing. But the man, unfamiliar with a life of Torah, dismissed the idea and said, “Is the rabbi an angel, able to change the laws of nature?” 

Still, the merchant persisted, urging him again and again until he finally agreed to go. 

When he entered the home of the Chaffetz Chaim, he broke down in bitter tears, recounting the pain and illnesses afflicting him and his household. He pleaded for the Chaffetz Chaim’s blessing. 

But instead of immediately blessing him, the Chaffetz Chaim said: “‘Let us go and greet the Shabbat, for it is the source of all brachot.’ If you truly seek brachot, begin observing Shabbat—and the blessing will come on its own.” 

The man hesitated and then finally said, “Rabbi,” he said, “do you think it’s easy for me to keep Shabbat? I oversee dozens of factories. Closing them on Shabbat would cost me a fortune.” 

“I’ve already told you—Shabbat is the source of all brachot. If you keep Shabbat, the brachah (blessing) will follow.” 

The man fell silent, overwhelmed with emotion. After a moment, he offered a compromise. 

“Rabbi, I’ve just thought of a solution. In about twenty days, the fiscal year will end. I’ll close the books on all my businesses, and then I’ll begin keeping Shabbat. Please—just allow me to desecrate three more Shabbatot.” 

The Chaffetz Chaim looked at him and said, “My son, my dear son—do you think Shabbat belongs to me, that I can permit its desecration? If it were mine, I wouldn’t mind letting you violate it for weeks. But Shabbat belongs to the Holy One, Blessed is He, the Creator of all worlds. How can I possibly allow you to desecrate even one?” 

The man was deeply moved by the Chaffetz Chaim’s sincere and powerful words. With a full heart, he accepted upon himself to begin keeping Shabbat. The Chaffetz Chaim then blessed him and his family with a complete recovery—and indeed, not many days passed before they were all completely healed. 

All Blessings 

This truth has been clearly evident throughout the generations: the zechut (merit) of Shabbat observance brings salvation and healing. 

Thousands of stories attest to the miracles and breakthroughs that came through the power of Shabbat. 

For this reason, many tzaddikim, when approached by unobservant Jews who were seeking brachot in times of hardship, would gently encourage them to begin keeping Shabbat. That single commitment often opened the gates of mercy, drawing down wondrous healing and redemption. 

It was a living fulfillment of the Zohar’s teaching (Parshat Yitro 88a) that all blessings—both spiritual and physical—depend on the sanctity of Shabbat. 

Shabbat is Our Sign 

The Chaffetz Chaim zt”l explained the reason that Shabbat observance is even more important than other mitzvot saying, “We find (Shabbat 10b) that Hashem said to Moshe Rabbeinu, ‘I have a precious gift in My treasure house, and its name is Shabbat, and I wish to give it to Israel.’ If a bride returns the gifts that the groom sent her, it shows she does not want him, and the engagement is broken. Likewise, if we do not keep Shabbat, it is as though we are returning the gift that G-d gave us, showing that we do not value our relationship with our Father in Heaven.” 

The Chaffetz Chaim gave another parable, saying that Shabbat is like a sign hanging over a store. As long as the sign is up, even if the store is closed, passersby assume the owner is just away temporarily. But once the sign is removed, everyone understands the store is permanently closed. So too, Shabbat is the sign of a Jew, as it says (Shemot 31:17), It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever… As long as a Jew observes Shabbat, it is like he is wearing a sign that says, “I am a Jew who believes.” But when he removes this sign, it shows he has chosen to cut himself off from his Creator. 

This concept is also alluded to in this week’s parsha in the section of Birchat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing): 

Hashem turns to the spiritual leaders of every generation, who are compared to the Kohanim, of whom it is written (Malachi 2:7), “For the lips of a Kohen guard knowledge, and people seek Torah from his mouth,” and says to them: “And they shall place My Name upon the children of Israel” — ‘My Name’ hints to the holy Shabbat, which the Zohar (Yito 88a) calls “the Name of the Holy One, Blessed is He.” 

Additionally, the word “שמי” (My Name) is an acronym for S’habbos, Y’om M’enuchah (Sabbath, Day of Rest). 

These leaders are charged to strengthen the “sign” of Shabbat upon the Jewish people—and then, “And I will bless them” — Hashem will pour down all manner of blessings through the Shabbat, which is the source of blessing. 

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The Kalever Rebbe is the seventh Rebbe of the Kaalov Chasidic dynasty, begun by his ancestor who was born to his previously childless parents after receiving a blessing from the Baal Shem Tov zy”a, and later learned under the Maggid of Mezeritch zt”l. The Rebbe has been involved in outreach for more than 30 years and writes weekly emails on understanding current issues through the Torah. Sign up at www.kaalov.org.