I went to a Messianic Jewish group for a while. Jewish people celebrate Shabbat on the 7Th day of the Week, Saturday. Sunday was the 1st day, The Pagan Day of the Sun.
They had readings from the Torah, Call the Messiah Yeshua, had Davidic Dancing, and a meal afterward.
I liked it very much.
They better, otherwise they have to be put to death, as commanded by God:-
(Exodus 31:12-15 NLT)-The LORD then gave these further instructions to Moses: 'Tell the people of Israel to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you forever. It helps you to remember that I am the LORD, who makes you holy. Yes, keep the Sabbath day, for it is holy. Anyone who desecrates it must die; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. Work six days only, but the seventh day must be a day of total rest. I repeat: Because the LORD considers it a holy day, anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death.'
Those who follow Orthodox Judaism do, as do I. Jews from the more liberal branches either more loosely interpret the law to suit their practice are dispense with it altogether.
I haven't celebrated the sabbath for almost 15 years!
i think that also being Jewish, and being forced to obey the OTHER 613 laws that the old testament decrees, i have become very jaded about god and Judaism. and all religion really.
To be fair, religion teaches people to do good things like not murdering or stealing.
But it also has some really messed up policies as well.
see : WNW.thebibalisimaginary.com
Not really. Religious observance also in Judaism has been affected by Evolution. And actually, contrary to the opinion of Jewish fundamentalist, I look at Evolution here as credit to Judaism.
How to keep the Sabbath is not described in the written Torah except to say it's a day of rest.
There is a lot of guidance in Tractate Shabbos of the Talmud on how to practice it.
It is based on the 39 acts that were required to build the Mishkan. From these are described other restrictions.
It would be a mistake to read Tractate Shabbos as a list of Di's and do nit's as there are other spiritual meanings behind what's there. There is a place in Tractate Shabbos which says that every restriction can be violated, but not to violate so many of them as to make a mockery of Shabbat.
On the specific restriction of kindling a fire that is in the Torah, this may also have a spiritual meaning of not having any fighting in the household on Shabbat.
Judaism does change with the times. A simple study of history will show this. And the Torah does allow this to happen as it was given to the Jews. It is not "above" anymore as it was when it was given. Exceptions are made with careful consideration. It is even possible that different communities can have a different set of restrictions. It's not that the words are changed, but the interpretation of how to apply them in a particular time, place and people can be different for different situations.
It is always ok to do good on the Sabbath. How far you can stretch that is open to interpretation and different groups will have different opinions. I would not consider it good to buy food on that day as it would indicate a lack of planning. An exception might be if I met a person in need of food. Then I'd have no problem buying it.
My Sabbath starts about 15 minutes before sundown with the lighting of the candles. We then sit down to a nice meal. It's not what you would call religious, but it is peaceful.
On Saturday morning, I get up early for Torah study and then about 7:30, I leave for the shul. I read there until 9 when the Rabbi comes for an hour of teaching. Our service lasts from about 10 to 1 or so. It's never long enough.
Afterwards, we eat and I generally study some mystical writtings with someone there. We usually end up staying until about 4. Then I go home, and sometimes take a nap or otherwise relax until the appearance of the third star.
I don't exchange money on Sabbath as this would cause others to work. It also keeps me from having to work because the family knows I won't go shopping.
My opinions will differ from other Jews as we are all different. But I hope this gives you an idea.
Orthodox Jews observe Shabbat as outlined in the Torah. It's the most basic and common Orthodox practice, aside from perhaps keeping kosher.
On Shabbat we don't do work. We don't drive or actively use electricity. In practical terms this means that I turn on any lights that I'm going to need, and keep them on for the 25 hours. I don't cook during Shabbat, but I CAN put stuff into a crock pot on Friday afternoon so that we can eat hot violent for Saturday's lunch.
On Friday evening we light candles. We typically have a big meal, complete with singing and a couple of rituals. We talk about Torah or other upbeat topics.
We don't drive--we walk to synagogue. We certainly don't shop or carry money. The day is to be one of happiness, being together, good food, etc. It's a Mitzi for a married couple to have sex on Shabbos--and the husband is to make his wife happy.
And in spite of what some have said here, yes, millions of people do observe Shabbat every week. And joyfully.
My family always has a lovely Friday night shabby meal, and we don't go out or ever do any work of any type on Friday nights.
- to the first answerer: 'messianic Jews' are not Jewish. They are not just 'one more group' within Judaism. Their movement was started by Southern Baptists and they are fully Christian. A person cannot be Jewish AND adhere to beliefs that are forbidden and heresy in Judaism, such as Jesus being part divine.
i guess what you mean do i still keep the sabbath as observed by Orthodox Jews .its been 25 years since i followed that path .and since i left the path i feel relieved. I'm proud to be a Jew and to live in a Jewish state i truly pity those that follow that path .the endless chores for shabby the never ending prayers ......the endless rituals .....
i think id rather get stoned.....
for the Jews:do you still practice sabbath as described in the Torah?
