shabbat

• shabbat - day of rest
• jews have this day of rest as g-d commanded it on mount sinai
• it is the 4th of the ten commandments
• passages in the torah command jews two things:

  • remember meaning of shabbat= g-d rested from creation on 7th day
  • observe shabbat by not doing any 'work'= jews imitating g-d himself who rested on the 7th day
• importance of shabbat:

  • obeying one of the mitzvot
  • sharing in g-ds life by imitating his rest
  • binds family together
  • reminds people to think of others
  • at synagogue torah is heard
  • g-d is praised
  • frees families from work
• shabbat rituals:

  • candles are lit
  • kiddush prayer
  • handwashing
• orthodox jews believe:

  adv= talmud lists activities considered to be work and should be followed since it is the oral torah received by moses on mount sinai, meaning shabbat is properly respected and taken seriously and g-d is serious about jews not working

  dis= being too strict can create more work and leave someone to exhausted rather than joyful for shabbat, spirit of commandment should be followed not the letter of law
• conservative/reform jews believe:

  adv= acceptable to use electronic devices and since shabbat is a time for family using a phone helps people connect with distant family members, to drive to synagogue is okay and ensures that shabbat is holy as they're able to worship and hear the torah

  dis= working on shabbat makes a mockery of g-ds command to rest and do not work, people will not properly focus on the purpose of the day