This week's Torah portion (Ki Tisa) addresses the concept of work prohibited on Shabbat. Over the past few weeks, the Torah has described the elements necessary for constructing the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary that has accompanied the Jewish people for over 400 years. In this parashah, God calls upon those who will actually build each of these elements.
At the end of the narrative, the Torah addresses the matter of Shabbat, stating that although the Jewish people must be diligent in building the sanctuary, they must not neglect Shabbat; it must be carefully observed.
Now, our sages learn from this that the work prohibited on Shabbat is that which was involved in the construction of the sanctuary, because otherwise, what connection is there between the two? According to the flow of the narrative, it would seem that the subject of Shabbat is "out of place.".
In practice, there are thirty-nine specific prohibitions on Shabbat that are unrelated to the effort involved in the action. For example, carrying a pen in a public space is prohibited, while carrying heavy chairs from one place to another within the same private space is permitted.
While there are many details regarding Shabbat, beyond what is forbidden and permitted, there is a central point that is also mentioned in this section: the Torah says (Exodus 31:16) "And the Children of Israel kept the Sabbath, to keep the Sabbath in [all] generations; an everlasting covenant""
The simple meaning is that the Jewish people must observe Shabbat. However, the word "do" in the verse seems inappropriate; it should say observe, keep (lishmor).
From this we learn that one must "make" Shabbat, that is, one must actively take action to create the proper atmosphere for Shabbat. It is not something that comes on its own (at least not in a revealed form) nor is it something that happens in an instant, but rather there must be a continuous effort to create Shabbat, to imbue the day with the spirit of Shabbat. And this is achieved by following the laws that the Torah, with great wisdom, gives us to accomplish this.
Can you imagine eating dinner with your family without the TV on? Can you imagine having breakfast without reading the newspaper or having to rush off to work? Try it! Don't be afraid...