This analysis paper was written in my Sinai Scholar course. We were able to choose any topic to explore and research. With the changes in technology and culture in our modern society, the way individuals observe the Sabbath has changed in several ways.

1. Jenna Kaminsky
Binghamton University
Sinai Scholars: Analysis Paper
Observance of the Sabbath in the Light of Modern Technology and Culture
The Ten Commandments have been an essential topic of discussion throughout this
course. The fourth commandment states that we shall “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it
holy.” Well, what is the Sabbath and why is it so essential that we observe it? The Sabbath
comes at the end of the week, and is a day in which Jews are forbidden to work. Author Tracey
Rich describes it as “a precious gift from G-d, and a day of great joy eagerly awaited throughout
the week.” (ReligionFacts) It is a time where we can set aside all of our stress from the working
week and devote ourselves to higher pursuits. Shabbat is a day of celebration and promotes our
need for a day of rest. Regardless of what is going on in one’s life, on this special day everything
must be put aside, so we can really enjoy this crucial day of rest. The Torah explains that, “the
purpose of the Sabbath is to remind the Jewish people about the creation of the world (Ex. 20:11)
and the deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Deut. 5:15).” (ReligionFacts) Both of these historical
events focus around the central belief that there is only one powerful creator, G-d. Shabbat is
arguably the most important observance for the Jewish people. The period of observation begins
at sunset on Friday and lasts until sundown on the following day, Saturday. G-d commanded that
we celebrate this day of rest and refrain from doing work in order to remind ourselves that we are
not just a “human doing” but rather, a human being. (ReligionFacts)
This leads to my next question, what does it mean to keep this day holy and what does
the concept of “work” entail? The Torah commands that we must light candles before Shabbat
and say a special blessing after the lighting so that the evening is both peaceful and festive. Once

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we light the candles, all work must end, including the use of technology. The Torah commands
us to verbally declare the Sabbath a holy day and sanctify it by saying a special prayer over wine,
which is known as Kiddush. After Kiddush, we celebrate Shabbat with a delicious feast
including Challah, and a variety of other Jewish foods such as gefilte fish and matzo-ball soup.
According to the Hebrew Bible, the Talmud lists 39 categories that define exactly what work is.
There are certain activities that we are forbidden to engage in while observing the Sabbath,
including driving, writing, cooking, using electricity, technology, etc. In ancient times, it was
much easier for the Jewish people to stay true to their beliefs and preserve this commandment
accordingly. However, since time has elapsed and society has evidently progressed, it has
become all the more difficult to observe the Sabbath to the extent that we were once able to.
With the ever-increasing advancements of new technology in modern-day society, how are we
supposed to uphold such pertinent religious beliefs?
In today’s day and age, technology can be used for almost everything. People rely on the
use of technology to send and receive emails, phone calls, and text messages all day long.
Additionally, by engaging in social media one can interact with millions of people and stay
connected to others around the world. Prior to its existence, you might’ve been able to make half
a dozen phone calls to share a significant experience. The immediacy of social media empowers
you to share your experience or important news with all of your “friends” in your social network
simultaneously. It further allows those “friends” to multiply their own experiences and share
them with all of their friends. It’s hard to believe that there was a time before technology as it has
morphed into something so powerful today that society relies on for many aspects of their lives.
People begin and end their day using their phones, computers and tablets and some can’t even

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last ten minutes without refreshing their newsfeeds. Essentially, technology has become part of
the fabric of our lives and is something our society can’t bear to live without.
This brings me to my question, is it sinful or unholy for us engage in the use of
technology while observing the Sabbath? Technically, the answer is yes however; there may be
obstacles that Jews face that may prevent them from doing without. In today’s society while
living the American dream, it is imperative for people to work almost every day of the week and
most can’t take time off. The working world is extremely competitive and in order to survive, be
successful, and be financially stable, it is imperative for people to work the entire week. This
forces a lot of Jews to go against the Torah, essentially breaking the Sabbath. Some people argue
that they can’t afford to take off a day of work or turn off their mobile devices in light of
observation as they don’t want to run the risk of being disconnected from the rest of the world or
lose out on an important opportunity. Some would further argue that if work permits them to
have constant access to their email, than they are not committing a sin as they may be serving a
greater ordeal such as providing for their families and therefore should not be penalized. On the
other hand, it can also be argued that technology plays a positive and meaningful role in their
lives and even during times of observation of this holiday. It may enable certain people to keep
in contact with friends and family members who live in distant locations and provide them with
the ability to celebrate with these loved ones, virtually, over a video-chat. However, I have to
disagree with this belief and argue that these Jewish people should plan their schedules
accordingly and alter certain things in their life, in order to keep the preservation of the Sabbath
holy. The Sabbath is only one day, and everyone deserves a rest and time to disconnect.
Often, when a secular Jew attempts to delve into the meaning of the Sabbath, all they see
are rigid limitations, restricting them from engaging in their normal day to day activities.

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Evidently, in the modern era we are all in hypothetical servitude, we are slaves to our phones,
laptops, twitter feeds, and Facebook statuses, hindering us from participating in normal human
activity. Yet, isn’t it astonishing that a religion so archaic, has a solution to quell this problem,
the solution being Shabbat. One day a week we are commanded, instead of giving our friend an
emotionless text message, to converse with them in person and concentrate on their features that
make them human. One day a week, we are commanded to let the earth rest, and decrease the
ever-growing pollution from destroying our already fragile planet. Therefore, in my opinion we
must observe this holy day and honor thy commandment to the full effect that G-d wanted and
expected us to.
There is a story that resonates with me, and exemplifies my new found appreciation for
Shabbat. A father, whenever his daughter is crying, places her in front of the television so she
can enjoy another enthralling episode of Dora the Explorer, yet on Shabbat he cannot do that.
Sadly, in our world of today, the simple activities have been forgotten and replaced. Yet, on
Shabbat the father cannot use technology as a scape-goat for his responsibilities, rather he is
forced, as commanded by Hashem to sit with his daughter and physically interact with her, or
take her for a walk, and not allowing a television to provide entertainment for her. The story
provided highlights and an imperative message that the mitzvah of Shabbat is attempting to
convey. It is a time just to be a human, and nothing else. A time, to put down all the exterior
substances that blur what is important and to focus on what is. Contrastingly, to the beliefs I
know uphold, I truly thought keeping Shabbat was a burden rather than a privilege, however
through this program, and through the examination of what Shabbat is truly about, I can now see
the beauty of it and appreciate its purpose.
On a more personal level, I initially grew up keeping kosher in the house and celebrating

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Shabbat on a weekly basis. My mother grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa in a very
orthodox home, and she brought the traditions she learned with her to the United States and
incorporated them into our family, preserving them in our home. My dad, on the other hand, is
also Jewish but was raised in a more conservative home. As I entered my teenage years, my
sisters and I desired to go out with our friends on Friday nights, rather than celebrating Shabbat
with our family, so the tradition slowly died in our home. Since I’ve grown older and become
considerably more mature, I now understand why preserving this tradition and keeping Shabbat
in one’s home is so important. I understand why it meant so much to my mother and will be sure
to restore this tradition back into my own home and celebrate this day with great pride. I regret
the years where we did not uphold this tradition in my home, and know recognize the importance
of Shabbat. Because I have not celebrated Shabbat as regularly as I may have wanted to in the
past few years, I am fully aware that going full forced will not be an easy task. However, I plan
to slowly dive back into this crucial holiday, and gradually adopt the various practices of
Shabbat. I know not using technology and electricity will pose as a challenge for me, but I hope
that one day my family will be able to observe Shabbat in the correct way, and really appreciate
the special time together. Hashem gave us this day for a reason, and we must take full advantage
of it. Taking Sinai Scholars has restored a new appreciation in me for being Jewish. It has
intrigued me to apply that I’ve learned about Judaism and implement such practices into my
house when I return to Long Island. I want to encourage my sisters and mom to start observing
the Sabbath each week. I want to light the candles again on Friday nights, make a Kiddush, and
spend quality time with my family. I am so happy that I took Sinai Scholars and feel fortunate to
have gained a much better education about my religion.

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References
"Sabbath." Judaism: Jewish Holidays and Festivals. ReligionFacts, n.d. Web. 01 May
2017. Retrieved from <http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/holidays/sabbath>.
Posner, Menachem. "What Is Shabbat?" What Is Shabbat? - Shabbat. Chabad.org, n.d.
Web. 1 May 2017. Retrieved from<http://www.chabad.org/library/article
_cdo/aid/633659/jewish/What-Is-Shabbat.htm>.