This upcoming Shabbos, Parshas Vayera, will be observed by the largest number of Jews in these past years, thanks to the initiative of "The Shabbat Project" organization. It plans to encompass over one thousand five hundred cities throughout the world, and according to expectations, will include a record peak of over a million participating Jews Worldwide.
HaRav Zev Goldstein
This Worldwide Shabbos, a project spanning the entire globe, is the fruit of the concept and execution of HaRav Zev Goldstein, Chief Rabbi of South Africa, under the guidance of Torah leadership. Its purpose is to reach out to Jews everywhere and have them keep one Shabbos according to Halacha. Within its framework, earning major exposure and mounting interest through world media, hundreds of thousands of Jews are called upon to observe this upcoming Shabbos according to Torah requirements, in the hope that the `newcomers' will continue to keep Shabbos, in whole or in part, on a permanent basis.
In recent days, the promoter of this venture, HaRav Goldstein, visited Israel and paid his respects to HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, who has already attached his signature of approval encouraging the initiative.
Maran duly supported Rabbi Goldstein, saying, "Possibly this will fulfill the words of Chazal in Talmud Yerushalmi Maseches Taanis: `If Jewry was to keep one Shabbos properly, Moshiach ben David would come.' This is surely a way of hastening the ultimate geula, hopefully and in our days."
He stressed that "by having [Jews] resolve to keep just one Shabbos and taste the flavor of Shabbos, it would cause them to continue observing it and preserving its holiness in all forthcoming Shabbosos."
Shabbos project program
Shabbos project program
When Rabbi Goldstein asked how chareidi Jews who always keep Shabbos in all of its particulars and details could help join this world fortification of Shabbos of reaching out to those Jews who are distant from Torah observance, Maran replied, "By studying Maseches Shabbos, they will be doing their part of reinforcement."
It should be noted that during Rabbi Goldstein's previous visit to HaRav Kanievsky, the latter added this observation: "When a non-observant Jew succeeds in keeping Shabbos for the first time, it causes him to continue observing it the following Shabbos and all the ensuing ones of his life, as the outcome of `one mitzvah draws another mitzvah [in its wake]."
Again, to be noted, that during his previous visit to Eretz Yisroel, Rabbi Goldstein also visited the homes of the Admor of Sanz, and of Rosh Yeshivas Ahavas Shalom, HaRav Yaakov Hillel, who also expressed their encouragement and support for this wonderful global venture, which will surely draw the Geula closer and join hundreds of
