Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and the Two Myrtle Bundles
Leaving the cave, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his son meet an old man carrying two myrtle bundles for Shabbos: one for 'zachor' and one for 'shamor.'
Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai and his son hid in a cave for many years to escape the death penalty decreed by the Roman government. Upon exiting (the second time) they witnessed an elderly man carrying two bundles of myrtles. They inquired of him as to the purpose of the twigs. The man replied that they were to be used as smelling spices on Shabbos. Whereupon Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai and his son asked, “Wouldn’t one bundle of myrtles suffice?”
The man responded, “One corresponds to ‘zachor’ and one corresponds to ‘shamor.’” The Aseres HaDibros in Sh’mos have the fifth commandment recorded as “Zachor es Yom HaShabbos.” In Devarim the text is “Shamor es Yom HaShabbos.” Indeed, our sages tell us that the words zachor and shamor were said simultaneously. After hearing the man’s explanation, Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai exclaimed, “See how precious the mitzvos are to the Jewish people!”