Question: How do Conservative Jews observe the Jewish Sabbath?
Dear Rabbi,
Could you please explain how Conservative Jews observe the Jewish Sabbath, Shabbat?
Thanks, Steven
Answer: Dear Steven,
Thanks for writing, but your question regarding the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat in Hebrew) - assuming you are looking for details - is too broad for me to answer in this online FAQ.
In general, I would describe Conservative observance of Shabbat as ideally what is considered "traditional." However, there are individuals - and even congregations - that are more liberal in their Shabbat observance. We refrain from any creative activites such as cooking, writing, lawn work, and so on.
There are 39 categories of activities forbidden on the Sabbath. They are referred to commonly as "work", but are properly called "m'laha." These actitivies essentially "make changes" in our world.
I also prefer to describe Shabbat positively in terms of what is encouraged rather than what is denied or forbidden. We spend our time in worship, enjoying festive meals with family and friends, singing appropriate songs/hymns as part of the table "service", resting, reading for pleasure, reviewing Jewish studies, and interacting with family members including teaching and playing with children. It is a wonderfully positive experience, including by tradition the most appropriate time above all for physical intimacy between husband and wife, assuming that both are willing.
I encourage you to read Isaac Klein's A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice and Donin's To Be a Jew.
Best Wishes,
Rabbi Dov
