Ekev: Verse 35
It was said about them: "to those who sacrifice and burn incense to the queen of the heavens, and the constellation which I have not commanded" (Devarim 17:3), which is the worship WITH WHICH THEY SERVE the wicked handmaid that rules on Shabbat eve and on Wednesday eves. What do they do ON SHABBAT? HE RESPONDS: They wear black clothes, extinguish their lights, and lament on Shabbat eve to participate WITH THE WICKED HANDMAID, TO BE IN SADNESS, TROUBLE AND DARKNESS as she is, because "Elohim has made the one as well as the other" (Kohelet 7:14).
Ekev: Verse 36
After Yisrael sinned and the Temple was destroyed, it is said regarding the Shechinah, holy Ima: "How does the city sit solitary, that was full of people! How is she become like a widow" (Eichah 1:1)? THEREFORE, people extinguish lamps and candles on Tishah B'Av, and sit like mourners to participate in the sorrow of the Shechinah, because they caused Her all this calamity IN THEIR INIQUITIES.
Ekev: Verse 37
The fifth THING IT BEHOOVES US TO PREPARE ON SHABBAT is the cup OF WINE for saying, "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished (Heb. vaychulu)..." (Beresheet 2:1) NAMELY, KIDDUSH. The sixth is to speak words of Torah at the table. The seventh is to extend the meal and allow the poor to come to the table. The eighth is washing the hands with fingerbowl water. The ninth is the blessing after the meal. The tenth is the cup for the blessing AFTER THE MEAL. It is necessary to repeat THESE TEN THINGS and to prepare them in accordance with the holy meaning, for she, MALCHUT, is comprised of ten Sfirot. MALCHUT IS CONSIDERED the table of the Holy One, blessed be He, from the side of Gvurah. Hence, the sages have explained that the table should face the north, WHICH IS FROM THE SIDE OF GVURAH.
Ekev: Verse 38
NOW COME THE WORDS OF THE FAITHFUL SHEPHERD, WHO EXPLAINS THESE TEN THINGS IT BEHOOVES ONE TO DO AT SHABBAT MEAL. The first, the washing of hands, MEANS THAT the sages of the Mishnah explained that: 'Filthy hands are unfit for blessing, because they are twice removed from uncleanness.' When hands are unclean, they are considered a principle cause of defilement, which is once removed from uncleanness, and when the hands are clean, they are considered twice removed from uncleanness and are fit to bless, because blessing rests only on purity, because blessing rests on a priest, who is a pure man, a man of kindness. This is the meaning of: "It is like the precious ointment upon the head..." (Tehilim 133:2). Therefore, "speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, 'In this way you shall bless the children of Yisrael...'" (Bemidbar 6:23). It was explained that every priest who blesses is blessed, and if he does not bless he is not blessed. The sages of the Mishnah have further explained that any blessing that does not have a recitation of the Name OF YUD HEI VAV HEI and Malchut, THAT IS, 'KING OF THE WORLD,' is not considered a blessing, as Malchut is the name of Adonai. THUS, EVERY BLESSING SHOULD CONTAIN A RECITATION OF THE NAME YUD HEI VAV HEI, AND MALCHUT, WHICH IS ADONAI.