Unresponsive to the Deafening Call
I once gave a sermon regarding the significance and singularity of Shabbat. I quoted various sources to support my words and developed the subject from different angles. I spoke about the holiness of Shabbat and the benefits of studying Torah on this day.
Throughout the course of my speech, one man kept jumping up and challenging whatever I said. He argued about each detail I related regarding the sanctity of this day. He had a hard time understanding what is so special about Shabbat.
Time and again, I tried to explain the concept to him. I attempted to convince him of the advantages of Shabbat observance. But I had the feeling that my words were falling on deaf ears.
Time went by. I finally found out that this man was a gentile. Although his father was Jewish, his mother was not. Now I realized why I could not impress upon him the importance of Shabbat.
A gentile can never understand the depth and virtues of Shabbat. He does not have the tools with which to contain its potency. I had felt that I was talking to deaf ears, because I was. These were not ears that heard Hashem’s voice at Har Sinai, declaring, “Safeguard the day of Shabbat to sanctify it.”
