5784/2024
Rav Elimelech Biderman, שליטא, points out that the primary source of Tosefet Shabbat comes from this week’s Parashah. The Pasuk states: ״ועניתם את נפשותיכם בתשעה לחדש״, “You shall fast on the 9th [of Tishrei]” (Vayikra 23:32). Yom Kippur is on the 10th of Tishrei, so why does the Pasuk teach that we should fast on the 9th? The Gemara (Rosh HaShanah 9a) comments that the Torah is intentionally telling us to start earlier, and, as seen in the end of the Pasuk, this is a general principle for both Shabbat, תשבתו, and Yom Tov, שבתכם. The Gemara also teaches that this principle of Tosefet Shabbat also applies to the end of Shabbat because of the words “מערב עד ערב”. Therefore, the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 261:2 and 293:1) rules that “one must add from the weekday onto Shabbat'', and that “we daven maariv later [on Motza'ei Shabbat], to extend the Shabbat into the week”. The Shulchan Aruch even mentions the practice to elongate Barchu during maariv on Motza'ei Shabbat, and the Chida writes that one who practices like this will be greatly successful.
Rav Simcha Kaplan, זצ״ל, told the following story: He was once staying over in the house of an elderly couple for Shabbat. The husband had to run errands on Friday afternoon, but before he left, his wife urged him at length to ensure that he returned home soon. Rav Simcha asked the woman why she was so anxious for her husband to return soon, given that there was a long time until Shabbat ends. The kind woman responded, “It is a story, and since you have asked, I will tell you.”
She said that after the birth of her first and only son, she and her husband were overjoyed, but the great simcha was soon overshadowed by the news that the baby boy was ill. The best doctor of Krakow, where they had lived at the time, examined the child and diagnosed the boy with a severe heart ailment, and recommended that they travel to a doctor in Vilna who was better suited to treat this severe case. In Vilna, the doctor said that there was nothing to be done and that the child, unfortunately, could not be cured. The family was devastated, but did not give up hope. They managed to set up a meeting with the Chafetz Chaim. In their meeting with the Chafetz Chaim he said to them: “Why have you come to me? I am not able to be מחיה מתים” and the family was, once again, devastated. The grandson of the Chofetz Chaim pleaded with his grandfather not to send these desperate people away empty-handed. The Chafetz Chaim then asked the couple if they were ready to be Mekabel Tosefet Shabbat. The couple immediately responded, with a newfound sense of hope, that they were.
Soon after, the child began feeling better, and both doctors attested that there had been seemingly no cure, and were shocked by the miracle that had taken place. After telling this story, the wife turned to Rav Simcha and said to him: “Now you can see why I am anxious that my husband returns home early.” We learn that the Zechut of being Mekabel Shabbat early can overcome great Nisyonot, and hopefully with this Zechut we can merit seeing Mashiach come BeMeherah Beyameinu.