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Do you keep Shabbos?
  of course!!
  why should I?
  No
  Yes
  sometimes
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shtolts tiger

PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 10:35 pm


I know this sounds weird, but how many of you keep Shabbos? I've seen many posts made on Shabbos and I want to know why.
PostPosted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 12:25 am


I see a large importance in keeping shabbos as a part of a religious Jew's life.
  • I feel it renews my energy to deal with things that week and it's a time I can reflect on things spiritually that happened to me during the past few days.
  • It's sort of like a time out, and it helps me get along. The great part is that there are no distractions such as TV or the computer because it's muktzeh on shabbat.
  • It's a time the whole family can be together...
  • It feels great! blaugh

nathan_ngl
Crew


Benzino the Great

PostPosted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 12:32 am


I.... dont keep shabbat. ;-;

I'm sorry guys! *ducks before getting stoned*

I know I'm gonna go to hell.

Its hard for me right now, because when I asked my parents if would could try to do less things during shabbat that involved using electronics, and working, and cutting, ect.. they got a lil bit upset.. and piled more house repairing duties on me.. including being in charge of fixing the pool.. When I say no, they raise their tone with me, and my dad, though I love him and all.. Well, he gets very violent when he is angry or doesnt feel well.. he is diabetic so this happens a lot.. his blood sugar goes out of control, and he becomes Id. He wants things done now!

For now, the only thing we dont do on sabbath is drive. We like walking to the synagogue.. however, we haven't even gone in a while because my parents aren't out of shape.. and praying is something we would really much rather do together as a family in synagogue.
PostPosted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 8:56 am


Benzino the Great
I.... dont keep shabbat. ;-;

I'm sorry guys! *ducks before getting stoned*

I know I'm gonna go to hell.

Its hard for me right now, because when I asked my parents if would could try to do less things during shabbat that involved using electronics, and working, and cutting, ect.. they got a lil bit upset.. and piled more house repairing duties on me.. including being in charge of fixing the pool.. When I say no, they raise their tone with me, and my dad, though I love him and all.. Well, he gets very violent when he is angry or doesnt feel well.. he is diabetic so this happens a lot.. his blood sugar goes out of control, and he becomes Id. He wants things done now!

For now, the only thing we dont do on sabbath is drive. We like walking to the synagogue.. however, we haven't even gone in a while because my parents aren't out of shape.. and praying is something we would really much rather do together as a family in synagogue.
I highly doubt you'll go to hell for such a thing, and even though religion should come first, if you can't emotionally handle it, I can assure you no one will stone you for it.

I personally don't keep Shabbos because I hardly know how. That, and with my family, friends, and everything else, it's hard for me to balance it all, and also get my parents to understand...

kingpinsqeezels


[Monkei]

PostPosted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:01 am


I would if I knew how, or if my culture accepted it.
The Jews I know don't keep it, so if I went ahead and did I would look a bit odd (I'm trying to convert to Judaism, so I'm not even there yet).

My parents are also christian, and trying to make them understand even why I want to convert is a challenge, so I think shabbat will have to wait a while.
PostPosted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:40 am


i work nights so i never get a chance, plus i can't light candles where i live.

Maxter


kingpinsqeezels

PostPosted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 12:45 pm


[Monkei]
My parents are also christian, and trying to make them understand even why I want to convert is a challenge, so I think shabbat will have to wait a while.
Yes exactly! It is a work in progress for me...I'd like to understand it completely before lighting the candles, and also during school, Friday is the only day I have with my friends. I try to be home before nightfall, but sometimes it just doesn't happen. It's not because I don't have respect for the Sabbath, just with the society where everything is geared around a Sunday Sabbath, it gets difficult.
PostPosted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 1:13 pm


I do everything that I can, but I'll admit- I'm not perfect. Heck, half the things I'm doing probably aren't allowed and I just don't know any better.

I totally understand King! All testing for karate is done on Friday nights, so I don't really have a choice there. Stupid theocracy... stare

darkphoenix1247
Vice Captain


kingpinsqeezels

PostPosted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 2:20 pm


darkphoenix1247
I do everything that I can, but I'll admit- I'm not perfect. Heck, half the things I'm doing probably aren't allowed and I just don't know any better.

I totally understand King! All testing for karate is done on Friday nights, so I don't really have a choice there. Stupid theocracy... stare
Dude totally. I'm sure it's different in places that have STRONG Jewish communities. Damn the Midwest! XD
PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 2:37 am


kingpinsqeezels
Benzino the Great
I.... dont keep shabbat. ;-;

I'm sorry guys! *ducks before getting stoned*

I know I'm gonna go to hell.

Its hard for me right now, because when I asked my parents if would could try to do less things during shabbat that involved using electronics, and working, and cutting, ect.. they got a lil bit upset.. and piled more house repairing duties on me.. including being in charge of fixing the pool.. When I say no, they raise their tone with me, and my dad, though I love him and all.. Well, he gets very violent when he is angry or doesnt feel well.. he is diabetic so this happens a lot.. his blood sugar goes out of control, and he becomes Id. He wants things done now!

For now, the only thing we dont do on sabbath is drive. We like walking to the synagogue.. however, we haven't even gone in a while because my parents aren't out of shape.. and praying is something we would really much rather do together as a family in synagogue.
I highly doubt you'll go to hell for such a thing, and even though religion should come first, if you can't emotionally handle it, I can assure you no one will stone you for it.

I personally don't keep Shabbos because I hardly know how. That, and with my family, friends, and everything else, it's hard for me to balance it all, and also get my parents to understand...


There is that too.. Some things I just dont know if it is allowed or not.. But what I do know isnt allowed, I haven't been able to keep. Which is ashame. I fully intend to make that resolution eventually though.

Benzino the Great


darkphoenix1247
Vice Captain

PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:50 am


Besides all of that, there is no Hell in Judaism. xd

Described by Dante to get people to pay indulgences, or at least that's what my AP Euro teacher taught. xp
PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 1:13 pm


darkphoenix1247
Besides all of that, there is no Hell in Judaism. xd

Described by Dante to get people to pay indulgences, or at least that's what my AP Euro teacher taught. xp
That too. But I was talking more about punishment than a literal hell.

Trust me, I know there is no hell. I especially love to use that line when someone tells me I'm going there. whee

kingpinsqeezels


Divash
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 2:26 pm


I'm shomeret Shabbat (guardian of Sabbath -- male form is shomer Shabbat), yes.

To those who want to keep Shabbat but don't know how to start, let me start by saying good for you, for recognizing how much your soul needs it. So many of us get swept up in video games, sports, and the culture that tells us to GO GO GO all the time. Taking one day a week to just relax, be a human being, and interact with people instead of with objects (the I-Thou rather than the I-It relationship, as named and described by, I believe, Martin Buber) is very restorative. And it's YOUR heritage as a Jew, whether you're born a Jew or have been adopted into the family of Yisrael through conversion, or are still in the process of conversion/adoption. It's yours to keep, to cherish, to own. More than Israel has kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept Israel.

Secondly, please understand that while there are MANY laws and customs concerning how one keeps Shabbat, there is still only one way to keep them: one at a time. If your family's giving you lots of housework and lots of grief and insisting that you do it on Shabbat, fine. Do it. You're still at home, which means you still qualify as a child, so you're not free to disobey. Do as they say. But don't do anything that you aren't ordered to do. Homework? Do it Saturday night and Sunday. Video games? Put them down, and just enjoy the quiet time to think while you do your chores. Phone calls, television, internet, buying things? Let it go for one day; the world will keep on turning.

As for lighting candles, make a deal with your parents: You'll light the candles, and you'll get to relax while they burn. Then you'll resume your housework with all the more energy, since you got to relax for an hour or two. Tell them that you understand that they're your parents, and you feel a desire to keep both the commandment of Shabbat and the commandment to honor your father and mother, so you'd like to try this as your compromise.

Later when you're living on your own and are more independent, gradually cut out the things that you feel you can do without. One by one, those things will seem less and less important, and it'll feel more and more restful every Friday as sunset approaches. When you cut one activity out, replace it with another: add one prayer from the prayer book, or one more paragraph from a prayer you've been saying only partway through. No more sports? Great, that means you've got time to learn how to read and understand that fourth paragraph in the Sh'ma, or the next part of P'sukei D'zimra, or that next Psalm you've been wanting to try. But again, do it little by little. Jewish observance, including Shabbat, isn't easy. It's a joy, but it's difficult and takes practice. Until you're fully converted, you aren't obligated in any of the commandments, so you can take your sweet time learning all about them. The urge to complete one's conversion is strong, or should be, but like watching your kitten grow into a cat, it's a sweet time that's over so fast. Love your process. Make yourself a promise: do more when you are FULLY capable of doing more, and do it in tiny increments. It's like eating a thousand-pound bag of cookies: One bite at a time.
PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 3:02 pm


I used to...

But it feels wierd now, it's empty.

It seems that I am the only one that I know who actually acknowledges that friday night is supposed to be somewhat sacred.

And when you're the only one doing it, it kinda looses it's luster.

Especially when you have to wake up early on Saturday to make sure you get to work on time. Those car payments don't pay themselves.

LordNeuf
Crew


Macaroni Jesus

PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 3:27 pm


If by keeping you mean just staying home on fridays and doing nothing, then yes.
If by keeping you mean doing all the candles and prayers and stuff, then no.
Its not that I dont want to or cant, its just on Fridays the last thing on my mind is that, I usually just land in a chair and fall asleep in the afternoon.
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