“G-d blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because on it He rested from all His work which G-d created to do” (Bereishit 2:3)
“Between Me and the Children of Israel it is a sign forever that in six days Hashem made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed” (Shemot 31:17)
The Radak interprets blessing as an increase in good. Shabbat was blessed with an increase in peace of mind. On that day, the soul is free of the worries of this world, to pursue wisdom and the word of Hashem. Hashem blessed Shabbat and sanctified it by commanding Bnei Yisrael to rest on that day and make it holy. He sanctified it by separating it from all other days, for that is the day the Jewish nation rests. Shabbat is the sign between them and Hashem that they are sanctified. When they observe Shabbat, they testify that Hashem created and renews the world. They prove their belief in a Creator. He created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.
The Radak continues: We are told that there is a certain fish which does not swim on Shabbat. All day long, it rests near the shore or a stone. Our Sages relate that there is a river called Shabbatyon (known as Sambatyon), which rages with stones and sand all week long, but rests on Shabbat, hence its name.
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai taught: Shabbat said to Hashem, “Ribbono shel Olam! Every day has a partner, but I have none.” To which Hashem replied, “Keneset Yisrael will be your partner.” When Am Yisrael stood at Har Sinai, Hashem enjoined them, “Remember what I told Shabbat, that you are its partner” (Bereishit Rabbah 11).
Hashem told Moshe: I have a wonderful gift in My treasury, called Shabbat. I would like to offer it to Bnei Yisrael. Go and inform them (Shabbat 10b).
Rabbi Yochanan says in the name of Rabbi Yosi: Whoever takes pleasure in Shabbat is given an unlimited inheritance, as it says (Yeshayahu 58:14), “Then you will delight in Hashem, and I will mount you astride the heights of the world; I will provide you the heritage of your forefather Jacob” (Shabbat 118a).
Rabbi Yochanan says in the name of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai: If only Bnei Yisrael would observe two Shabbatot, they would immediately be redeemed (ibid.).
The Gemara (Shabbat 119a) recounts: Rabbi Chisda says in the name of Mar Ukva: Whoever prays on Shabbat Eve and says Vayechulu is accompanied by two administering angels. They place their hands upon his head, and say, “Your sins are removed, and your iniquities are forgiven”.
Rabbi Yosi bar Yehudah says (ibid.): On Shabbat Eve, two administering angels, one good and one evil, accompany a person from the Beit Hakeneset. When he arrives home and finds the candles lit, the table set and the bed made, the good angel proclaims, “May it be Hashem’s will that next Shabbat should be the same.” And the evil angel is forced to answer “Amen!” But if this is not the case, the evil angel says, “May it be Hashem’s will that next Shabbat should be the same,” and the good angel is forced to say “Amen!” Rabbi Elazar says, “One should always set his table before Shabbat, even if he eats only a small portion.”
Rabbi Yehudah, the son of Rav Shmuel, quoted Rav (ibid.): A fire rages only where there is chillul Shabbat, as the pasuk says (Yirmeyahu 17:27), “But if you do not listen to Me, to sanctify the Shabbat Day and not to carry a burden… then I shall set a fire to its gates, which will consume the palaces of Jerusalem and not be extinguished.” Abaye says: Yerushalayim was destroyed only on account of Shabbat desecration, as the pasuk says (Yechezkel 22:26), “They hid their eyes from My Shabbatot, and I became profaned among them” (Shabbat 119b).
A devout man discovered a breach in the wall of his field and decided to put up a fence. Then he remembered that it was Shabbat when he thought of this. He made up his mind that he would never put up the fence. A miracle took place and a bush grew in that spot, from which he was able to support his family (Shabbat 132a).
