|
How does Shabbat affect the life of a Jew?
Shabbat or the sabbath is the day of rest. From Sunday to Friday, Jews are involved in their everyday working lives. On the Shabbat (Saturday) Jews rest. They refrain from anything that is considered creativity. For example, the Jew is not allowed to cook, write, light a fire or build on Shabbat.
There are many things that Jews may not do on Sabbath that do not seem like work. This is because we relate to the word work as something that involves lots of physical exertion. THe Jewish concept of the work prohibited on Sabbath is an activity that involves creating something. Cooking is prohibited because man is creating a dish. He is affecting a change in the state of the raw potato, and creating chips. This creative transformation does not necessarily involve physical exertion. In fact physical exertion is completely irrelevant in the context of creative work on Sabbath.
There are 39 creative acts prohibited in the sabbath, and any activity which is a subset of those 39 categories will likewise be prohibited.
Sabbath is a day spent in prayer, reflection and study. Jews wear special clothes, eat special food and share the day with family and friends.
Ask the Rabbi is produced in association with Aish UK.
Send your questions, along with your name to: rabbi@SomethingJewish.co.uk.
Due to the High volume of questions SomethingJewish cannot guarantee a personal response. If your question
is of a urgent nature we suggest you contact a local Rabbi. For a list a of synagogues across the UK
click here.
Unless requested, selected questions and answers will also appear on the Web site (names and e-mail addresses will not be published).
For more information about Aish UK please contact via info@aish.org.uk.
|
E-mail this to a
friend