It is said that a great Rabbi used to prepare for Shabbat by going shopping at the beginning of the week. He would go to the marketplace and purchase the best fruit, for example. The next day, he found fruit that was even better, and he would eat what he had previously purchased, and save the better fruit for Shabbat. The next day, he would find fruit that was even better than the fruit he had set aside, and on that day, he would eat that fruit, and put aside the better fruit. You get the idea. This is the way he accumulated the very best items for Shabbat and fed himself during the week. This story is not just about fruit, but also about the spiritual preparation for Shabbat, which is the most exalted day of the week; every day, we reach a higher and higher level of spirituality as we make our way towards Shabbat.
On a material level, you don’t need to create a “replaceable feast” like this Rabbi did, to prepare for Shabbat. Many people go shopping late in the week to purchase all of their Shabbat food, or order from the local store. However, when you happen to see a gorgeous, perfect mango, some velvety smoked salmon, of your favorite wine, why not go ahead and buy it with the intention of saving it for Shabbat? The mitzvah (commandment) of preparing the best food and wearing the finest clothing in honor of Shabbat need not be laborious.; it can be enjoyable. You can make a game of it with your children; ask them to pick out something they would especially enjoy to have on Shabbat, or encourage them to save some favorite candy for Shabbat. The next time you go to the grocery store or the mall, keep your eye out for Shabbat treasures. You can bring the peace and joy of Shabbat into the most mundane shopping trip.