Vayakhel: Fire and Rage
Of all the activities that are forbidden on Shabbos that are derived by Talmudic exegesis, the Torah singles out one: "You shall not kindle a flame in all your dwellings" ( Exodus 35:3 ). Rabbi Chaim of Czernovitz ( Siduro shel Shabbos ) explains that in addition to being a forbidden type of work, making a fire also refers to the flame of rage. Inasmuch as rage is forbidden at any time, the special precaution means that we must make extra effort to avoid anger on Shabbos . On Friday night, the challah is covered during kiddush , the prayer testifying to the six days of creation and that Hashem rested on the seventh day. The reason for covering the challah is that according to halachah , the berachah (blessing) for bread takes precedence to the berachah for wine. Inasmuch as the kiddush is recited over wine, the challah is covered to prevent its being humiliated when the ...