How to Observe the Shabbat

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Last Updated: February 2, 2024 Approved

Shabbat is the seventh day of the week of the Jewish calendar, the day when God completed His Work of Creation and rested. Today, many Jews - especially Orthodox Jews - still observe Shabbat. Having an understanding of the deeper meaning of Shabbat will help you enjoy and appreciate the Shabbat. The Shabbat is a day of rest from the activities of the remainder of the week, a day of peace. Though there are restrictions, Shabbat is not just about these restrictions. It is about joy.

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Prepare for Shabbat. Since there are many activities that are prohibited on Shabbat, advance preparations is the best way to help you cope. Many of them must be made a day or more in advance.
- Your Hebrew calendar will list the times for lighting the Shabbat candles.
- Go food shopping and do laundry on Thursdays.
- Shower and wear your best clothes.
Welcome Shabbat with prayers for your children, lighting Shabbat candles, Kiddush prayers, challah prayers, a festive dinner, and Shabbat Friday night services at the synagogue.

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Familiarize yourself with the 39 tasks prohibited on Shabbat. Many of them are quite complicated and require understanding. Rabbinical authorities vary in what they consider permissible or not based on this list, so consult your local rabbi when you are uncertain.
- Carrying
- Burning
- Extinguishing
- Finishing
- Writing
- Erasing
- Cooking
- Washing
- Sewing
- Tearing
- Knotting
- Untying
- Shaping
- Plowing
- Planting
- Reaping
- Harvesting
- Threshing
- Winnowing
- Selecting
- Sifting
- Grinding
- Kneading
- Combing
- Spinning
- Dyeing
- Chain-stitching
- Warping
- Weaving
- Unraveling
- Building
- Demolishing
- Trapping
- Shearing
- Slaughtering
- Skinning
- Tanning
- Smoothing
- Marking
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Familiarize yourself with what is muktzeh (Hebrew: "separated" or "set aside"), which refers to tools and other objects used primarily to perform an activity that is a violation of Shabbat. According to the laws of Shabbat, a muktzeh item cannot be touched with the hands. Some examples of muktzeh items include:
- Pens and other writing instruments
- Currency
- Electronic devices, such as computers, cell phones, cameras
- Common tools, such as hammers, screwdrivers
- Outdoor work objects, such as lawnmower, rakes, shovels

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Why can I not use pens and writing instruments?

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The Torah dictates that, on Shabbat, one must abstain from "Melachah," usually translated as "work." In the Mishnah, the great Rabbis define "work" as the 39 activities that were, biblically, required in order to build the Tabernacle. Two of these prohibited activities are writing (i.e. forming and erasing symbols, letters, and pictures) and erasing. This also means that one may neither ice a cake with letters, nor cut a cake with such iced letters on the Sabbath.

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Do I need to buy a new tablecloth for Shabbat dinner, or is a newly laundered white one sufficient?

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Shabbat is every week, so if you buy a new tablecloth every week, that'll get very expensive very fast. You don't need a tablecloth, but if you want, your lovely, newly laundered white tablecloth is perfect.

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Can we use our air conditioning? Obviously TV and other electronics would be a no. Can I ride in a car?

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"Pikuach nefesh docheh Shabbat." That's Hebrew for, "Saving a life is more important than Shabbat." If it is really hot (over 70 F), then AC is a must. Cars are only allowed to get to shul and back, or in an emergency.

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Tips

Buy Shabbat books, toys, and games for your children.

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Set your TV to record shows you can watch after Shabbat.

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Turn off your phones and cell phones.

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Warnings

Following the laws of Shabbat is not easy, and if you've decided to become religious, you'll need to practice while adjusting to them.

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