What are they not allowed to do during shabbat?

Answer 1

The list of DON'Ts is always the more fascinating for non-Jewish curiosity-seekers,

but it's important to try and understand that the essence of Shabbat is to DO the

unique things reserved for that day. The DON'Ts are simply things that are inconsistent

with those, and would spoil them. I've seen the Shabbat referred to on this site as

"ritual laziness", by a 'contributor' whose comment revealed nothing so much as

how unclear he is on the concept.

Various individual Jews do or don't do various combinations of activities and

pursuits on Shabbat. Those who've been trained or educated in the observance

of the Shabbat, and wish to observe it as Judaism teaches, will avoid the following.

On Shabbat, observant Jews do not:

1). Avail ourselves as usual of all the devices and techniques that Man has

developed to master and control Nature. A few examples are: fire, electronics,

machinery. The day is dedicated to reconnecting with the One who created the

universe, and to living in our part of the universe as it was created for us.

2). Conduct business or work our jobs. The day is dedicated to reminding

ourselves that people don't own people, that we ultimately serve and report

to Gcd and not to other people, that our success and comfort are decided by

Gcd apart from all of our striving and our overtime, and that our success in

living life involves other dimensions in addition to our net taxable income.

3). Generally occupy our minds with the concerns that keep us on our toes

during the ordinary days. A few examples are: watering/weeding the garden;

washing the car; painting the boat; mowing/edging the lawn; repairing the

window; cleaning the garage; doing the Crossword puzzle; doing the laundry;

practicing the piano; checking our e-mail; cooking dinner; washing dishes; or

going through the newspaper to see what the City Council passed yesterday,

how our stock fund closed out the week, or where our team stands on their

way to the Cup after last night's game.

The Shabbat is a different kind of day, not one of the ordinary ones. Jews who

observe it are careful to avoid the habits of the ordinary days, because ... being

the creatures of habit that we are ... we could so easily settle into the same frame

of mind as on the ordinary days, and lose sight of the higher, more spiritual pursuits

that are available to us on the Shabbat, and to which the Shabbat is actually dedicated.