The Saba Kadisha, the Chofetz Chaim, wrote about those who arouse the public regarding Shabbos observance (Shem Olam), "They circulate in the streets and market places, reminding people to close shop before Shabbos, in time for candlelighting. They also exhort the public regarding the necessary preparations for keeping food warm for Shabbos day. They circulate in the bathhouses to urge people to don their Shabbos clothing quickly. How meritorious are their deeds for the public good so that all can share the holy mitzvah of whom it is written, "And those who bring merit to the many resemble the very stars forever more. The merit of Shabbos shall surely stand them in good stead to protect them from all harm and that they merit to bask in the pleasantness of Hashem.
"These people should truly rejoice in being actively involved in such holy work. It would be worthwhile for them to gather and reinforce one another with new ideas lest they fall lax, for the evil inclination, alas, is very strong. Would that they succeed in injecting new fervor for this mitzvah. Especially so in this week of Parshas Beshalach where the Torah also encourages us in the mitzvah of Shabbos."
This took place in Mara, even before Mattan Torah, when Jewry was commanded regarding Shabbos, "There did He present him with statute and judgment, and there did He test them." "At Mara, He gave them some of the subjects of Torah (such as the statutes), Shabbos, Parah Aduma and other laws" (Rashi).
HaRav Zilberstein always arouses regarding Shabbos and its special power to guard the Jewish people as a whole, and as well as the individual. He often repeats words which reverberate in our ears, of the zemer, "Ki eshmera Shabbos — When I keep Shabbos, so shall Hashem keep and watch over me."
They work in tandem, backwards and forwards but also in reverse. Said Abaye, "Yerushalayim was destroyed because Jewry desecrated Shabbos, as is written: They disregarded Shabbos and I destroyed in their midst" (Shabbos 119b).
"We similarly find that Yirmiyahu (17) warned Israel and prophesied that if they did not observe Shabbos, the city would be destroyed. ""And if you do not heed Me to sanctify Shabbos and transport things and enter the Jerusalem gates on Shabbos... I shall ignite fire on its gates which will consume the palaces of Jerusalem and shall not be extinguished" (Rabbenu Bachye Shemos 31:13).
In light of the words of the Chofetz Chaim that desecrating Shabbos leads to a loss of one's wealth can it be said that the economic decrees imposed on the chareidi public today are being offset by Shabbos observance? Similarly, with regards to imminent war, does Shabbos observance also protect us from danger?
In the prayer of Lecha Dodi, we say, "Come, let us go to welcome Shabbos for it is the source of the blessing," which is based on the Zohar which states that the six days of the week are blessed for the sake of Shabbos, so that not only does Shabbos assist in sustenance but truly, it is the very source of livelihood.
Shabbos also provides protection from the dangers of war, as is written in Shabbos 118b, "Whoever participates in the three meals of Shabbos is saved from three punishments: that of the pre-Messianic suffering, from the rule of Gehennom and from the war of Gog and Magog. Whoever felicitates the Shabbos is spared the trials of the servitude of the exile. In addition, he is given his heart's request, as is written, "If he rejoices with Hashem, He will give you your heart's desires."
Said Rabbi Chiya bar Abba in the name of Rabbi Yochonon: Whoever preserves Shabbos per its Halachos, even if he worships idols like in the generation of Enosh, he is pardoned, as is written: "Fortunate is the man [Enosh] who does this so as not to desecrate it mei'challelo — do not read it thus but mochlin lo — he is forgiven."
It is well known that the Ibn Ezra, one of the foremost Rishonim, composed the well known piyut, "Ki eshmera Shabbos, Kel Yishmereini." This has been embraced by all of Jewry in order to tell us that indeed, if one guards Shabbos, Hashem will guard him as well.
In summary: Shabbos is indeed the source of all blessing and also watches over us.
