Shabbat Rest Questions and Answers

Despite your best efforts, you’re carrying an item while walking on Shabbat. So what do you do?

There are potential issues with using a swing or hammock attached to a tree on Shabbat, and there may be ways to mitigate these problems.

If the Torah says that carrying outside is forbidden on Shabbat, how can a few barely-visible wires make a difference?

By far the most difficult commandment for me to keep is Shabbat. I never seem to get everything done in time on Friday, and can't just leave it alone as I should. Can you help me?

In this industry, I have only Saturday and Sunday to conduct business.

I am pregnant, due in several months, and I don’t know what to do if I would go into labor on the Sabbath. I am sure it would be okay for us to drive to the hospital in such a case. The question is, is there anything we should know beforehand?

As I grow in my observance, I have stopped taking calls on the Shabbat. I have a friend I would always speak to on Saturday morning. I had a conversation with her and explained that I cannot speak on the phone on Shabbat. But she insists on calling at the same time we would always speak.

An observant Jew recently joined my staff. He is a reliable employee, an honest man and a hard worker. But for the past few weeks he has been telling us that he needs to leave early on Fridays to be home in time for the Sabbath and the same on the eve of Jewish holidays...

As I understand it, we are not allowed to work on Shabbat. So how is it that the cantor and the rabbi can be paid for their Shabbat duties? Is it not considered work?

I like the idea of a day of rest. But why should I start my day of rest at a prayer service? Aren't there better ways to start my weekend?

I love the Shabbat experience, but why so many restrictions? All that "don't do this" and "don't do that" -- sounds more like a prison than a day of rest!