Shabbat Awakens Redemption

בזמר של שבת ברוך אדני יום יום כו' בגלות בבלה שולח כו'.

“In the Shabbat hymn ‘Blessed is the Lord day by day…,’ it says: ‘In the Babylonian exile He sends…’”

The Sefat Emet begins by noting a Shabbat hymn that describes God’s ongoing support even in exile, establishing the theme of divine accompaniment during times of spiritual distance.

השייכות לשבת עפ"י המדרש אנכי אעלך כו' על מנת ויוסף ישית ידו כו'.

“Its connection to Shabbat is, according to the Midrash: ‘I will surely bring you up… on condition that Joseph will place his hand…’”

The Midrash links redemption with Joseph, showing that the elevation attained on Shabbat is tied to Joseph’s spiritual quality.

פי' כפי מה שמתקיימת בחי' יוסף הצדיק בכלל בנ"י ובפרט בכל איש ישראל ככה יש לו הבטחת הגאולה אנכי ארד עמך כו'.

“Meaning: to the extent that the quality of Joseph the Righteous is present within the people of Israel collectively and within each individual Jew, so does one merit the promise of redemption: ‘I will go down with you…’”

The Sefat Emet explains that redemption is proportional to how much a person embodies Joseph’s trait—steadfast attachment to God despite adversity.

לכן בש"ק מתעורר הגאולה.

“Therefore on Shabbat the redemption awakens.”

Shabbat naturally stirs the inner power of redemption because it reawakens the spiritual capacities associated with Joseph.

כי יש בש"ק לכל נפש ישראל התעוררות הרצון לאביו שבשמים והוא בחי' יוסף הצדיק שהוא התשוקה להשי"ת ברשפי אש שלהבת יה.

“For on Shabbat every Jewish soul experiences an awakening of desire toward its Father in Heaven, and this is the aspect of Joseph the Righteous—the fiery yearning toward God.”

Shabbat reignites a deep, passionate longing for God, reflecting Joseph’s defining spiritual quality: burning desire for closeness to the Divine.

לכן השכינה מסייעת לנו בגלות בזכות השבת.

“Therefore the Shekhinah assists us in exile in the merit of Shabbat.”

Because Shabbat activates this inner yearning, the Divine Presence offers special help during exile through the power of Shabbat.

לכן מבקשים במו"ש על הגאולה וכמ"ש אלו שמרו בני ישראל כו'.

“Therefore on Motza’ei Shabbat we ask for redemption, as it is said: ‘If Israel would keep…’”

Since Shabbat heightens the redemptive impulse, it is fitting to pray for redemption immediately after Shabbat, when its influence still lingers.

Summary: The Sefat Emet teaches that Joseph’s spiritual quality—yearning for God—awakens in every Jew on Shabbat. This awakening stirs redemption, brings special divine assistance in exile, and explains why prayers for redemption are emphasized at the close of Shabbat.