Hi, I'm going to be visiting a rabbi for shabbat in a couple of weeks and am so excited the fact that he invited me but equally nervous about my lack of sabbath-experience. I've read about what one does (and does not) on Shabbat but I just want to make a good impression and not be a burden. Should I bring a plate of food? Or provide bedding for myself? This is a big deal to me, you have no idea how long I've wanted to observe shabbat the right way!
u cant observe the shabbat the right way... according to halakha Just like the violation of sabbath in jewish law is a GRAVE sin for a jew, so is the observance fully of it a GRAVE sin for the bnei noachim. A rabbi that i heard speak on the matter said that even if someone is one day away from the conversion, and that day is a sabbath, then he/she MUST break the sabbath. Even if they observe the sabbath the whole day they MUST do something to break it (even just once) before sabbath ends. So talk to the rabbi about this.... but i think u cant actually observe it fully (that is if u want to adhere to jewish law about the whole thing, if u dont care then do as you like). Peace sis
Moonllight, you might not want to bring any food because of the laws of kashrut, keeping kosher, and I don't think bringing bedding should be any more of an issue than it would be with anyone else. Have a good time.
Thats actually a good point (the laws of kashrut), I can't believe I hadn't thought of that! Anyways, thanks, I will
google: shabbos goy (& mebbe malcolm boyd, mmmm?) i could turn on lights, unlock doors, perform "forbidden" work, & hang withfolk who ummmmmm speak Y**H's native tounge, heh... ymmv... shalom...
I visited the synagogue yesterday and the Rabbi was wonderfully pleasant and generous with his knowledge, time, and books. He lent me Joseph Telushkin's Biblical Literacy and a book of Psalms. The architectural structure of the shul was very traditional, but it was so beautiful. To see the Torah in scroll form was breath-taking. I have definitely decided that I will convert, probably in the period of about 2 or 3 years. Its a process and people devote entire lives to the pursuit of judaica so theres no need in rushing it. Shalom ve Ahava, Ashleigh
