Rabbi Marc D. Rudolph

In Parasha Ki Tissa the instructions to build the mishkan are immediately followed by six verses on keeping the Sabbath. The latter three verses are our well known “Veshamru” prayer that we recite on Friday night and at Kiddush on Shabbat morning. But the second verse has a curious word introducing a phrase. Instead of simply saying “et shabtotai tishmoru” — You shall keep my Sabbaths — the verse reads “Ach et shabtotai tishmoru”. The “ach” seems to be an extraneous word. It is not needed. So why is it there?

The Jerusalem Talmud tells us that anywhere in the Torah we see the word “ach” it indicates an exception. Rashi explains that we are meant to understand: Even though you are enthusiastic and zealous about completing the mishkan, you should not do this work on the Sabbath. The observance of Sabbath must not be postponed in order to complete the work of the mishkan, no matter how important the mishkan may be.  In this case, work on the tabernacle, described in the previous verses, is encouraged, EXCEPT on the Sabbath, when work should stop.

The Ramban reads it a different way. He says the “ach” is not putting a limitation on work, but rather, it represents a limitation to rest on Sabbath. For example, if a circumcision falls on the eighth day we perform it, even though it will involve causing a wound which under other circumstances would be considered a Sabbath violation. Or, we can violate the Sabbath in order to save a life. The reason for this is contained in the verse — “You shall keep my Sabbaths” (plural). We are permitted to violate one Sabbath in order to save a life so that the person can celebrate many more future Sabbaths.

That is the power of a word — ach! 

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