Mitzvah #19a
Sefer Ha’mitzvos Ha’Katzar (the concise book of mitzvos)
By the Chofetz Chaim

This book lists the Torah mitzvos that can be observed today

First Section – the Positive Commandments

19. It is a positive commandment to sanctify the Shabbos day with words
As it says in Shemos (Exodus) 20:8, “Remember the Shabbos day to keep it holy.” Chazal, our Sages of blessed memory, say in Toras Cohanim on Parshas Bechukosai, sanctify it with words – at the beginning of Shabbos with Kiddush and at the end of Shabbos with Havdalah. In the words of the Soferim (Sages), it says to make Kiddush over wine or over bread. And from the Soferim it says to make Havdalah over wine or over some other beverage that is drunk often in that country. It is forbidden to taste anything before Kiddush or Havdalah.
The Prophets command us in two more commandments – they are joy and honor as it says in Yishaya (Isaiah) 58:13, “Call Shabbos joy to sanctify Hashem honored.” Honor is that we wash our face and hands in warm water and wearing clean clothes. Joy is the joy from eating and drinking. A person is obligated to have three meals on Shabbos. And anyone that spends more on Shabbos is praiseworthy (as much as a person can). One that is joyous on Shabbos will get an inheritance without suffering, will receive the wishes of his heart, and will be saved from serving foreign powers.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK