Working on the Sabbath

[Mephisto]

The Bible clearly states that working on the Sabbath day is punishable by death. Now, I'm sure most people will agree that the Bible is particularly male-centric, but I wonder how well the assertion that ANY type of work should not be carried out on the Sabbath day would have flown had women of Biblical times simply stopped doing anything on that day?

Certainly the Bible meant to include women in that minor commandment. If so, were their daily chores not seen as work, or was there an expedient "overlooking" of their contributions to the family and the household?

Not working, for the men, usually meant not going into the fields, not opening the store, not doing construction work or killing the enemies of God, but for women work meant a whole different thing. Would keeping the Sabbath day for men been half as comfortable or relaxing if the women didn't work throughout the entire Sabbath?

Would the men have had time to watch the game between the Israelites and the Midianites when a hungry, screaming child with a dirty diaper was interrupting constantly? Who would have provided the manna chips & dip when the guys came over to watch the game? Who would have made the beds, washed the dishes, swept the floors and tended to every single need of infants (assuming that breast feeding is work - it's certainly doesn't fall into the fun category from most accounts I've heard)? Who would have emptied the piss pots, cooked the meals, fed the livestock, tended the garden or comforted an injured child?

Again, was the work of women NOT considered actual work, or was the decree overlooked because women's daily contribution to the household was essential?

Mephisto

 

[Kaylee]

If you refer to the Jewish Old Testament/Oral Law definition of work prohibited on the Sabbath (posted below) -- this may answer some of your questions.

[ETA this paragraph]
I'm not sure about the English translations of all the 39 categories of work listed below. For example, I recall that cooking food is not OK but reheating a solid food already cooked is. (Reheating a liquid isn't, interpreting these rules gets very complicated. ) I don't think that could be determined just from reading the English translation of the list below. And nursing a baby is not included in the list below -- and thats because its not of the things that needed to be done to create the sanctuary.
Not feeding a baby would also be life threatening to it. Anytime someones life is at risk, almost all laws can be suspended (notable exceptions -- killing someone else, etc.) Hope this and the cut and paste below helps. [/end edit]

What I'm curious about is how and why some branches of Christianity switched the Sabbath from the seventh day of the week to the first; and how and why Islam switched it to the sixth day of the week.

Source Emphasis added -- mine.

The Torah does not prohibit "work" in the 20th century English sense of the word. The Torah prohibits "melachah" (Mem-Lamed-Alef-Kaf-Heh), which is usually translated as "work," but does not mean precisely the same thing as the English word. Before you can begin to understand the Shabbat restrictions, you must understand the word "melachah."

Melachah generally refers to the kind of work that is creative, or that exercises control or dominion over your environment. The word may be related to "melekh" (king; Mem-Lamed-Kaf). The quintessential example of melachah is the work of creating the universe, which G-d ceased from on the seventh day. Note that G-d's work did not require a great physical effort: he spoke, and it was done.

The word melachah is rarely used in scripture outside of the context of Shabbat and holiday restrictions. The only other repeated use of the word is in the discussion of the building of the sanctuary and its vessels in the wilderness. Exodus Ch. 31, 35-38. Notably, the Shabbat restrictions are reiterated during this discussion (Ex. 31:13), thus we can infer that the work of creating the sanctuary had to be stopped for Shabbat. From this, the rabbis concluded that the work prohibited on Shabbat is the same as the work of creating the sanctuary. They found 39 categories of forbidden acts, all of which are types of work that were needed to build the sanctuary:
1. Sowing
2. Plowing
3. Reaping
4. Binding sheaves
5. Threshing
6. Winnowing
7. Selecting
8. Grinding
9. Sifting
10. Kneading
11. Baking
12. Shearing wool
13. Washing wool
14. Beating wool
15. Dyeing wool
16. Spinning
17. Weaving
18. Making two loops
19. Weaving two threads
20. Separating two threads
21. Tying
22. Untying
23. Sewing two stitches
24. Tearing
25. Trapping
26. Slaughtering
27. Flaying
28. Salting meat
29. Curing hide
30. Scraping hide
31. Cutting hide up
32. Writing two letters
33. Erasing two letters
34. Building
35. Tearing a building down
36. Extinguishing a fire
37. Kindling a fire
38. Hitting with a hammer
39. Taking an object from the private domain to the public, or transporting an object in the public domain.

 

[Riddick]

the sabbath day is a day of rest. this is the command meant to rest on the sabbath day and hallow it.

however, there are exceptions to the rule. healthcare workers are exempt. the idea is to relieve the pain of someone who is suffering, irregardless of the day. this follows from when jesus healed people on the sabbath.

meal preparation is exempted for the same reason. the day is not meant to cause us hunger, pain, etc.

jobs such as house painters, car detailers, that type of work is supposed to be shut down on saturdays. but, as we all know, the day of rest was changed by man from saturday to sunday. some faiths still recognize the sabbath, such as the Jews, SDAs, 7th Day Baptists, Nazarenes (i think) and there are others.

 

[Iacchus]

It sounds like a good day to pick corn. ~ Matthew 12:1-8

 

[Pahansiri]

It sounds like a good day to pick corn. ~ Matthew 12:1-8

Originally posted by Iacchus You believe too much ...

Originally posted by Iacchus

It just seems silly that you should have to remind yourself of this stuff all the time. It sounds to me like you depend greatly on what someone else has told you.

Open mouth insert foot.

 

[Iacchus]

 

[Pahansiri]

however, there are exceptions to the rule. healthcare workers are exempt. the idea is to relieve the pain of someone who is suffering, irregardless of the day. this follows from when jesus healed people on the sabbath.

Can you show me in the Bible the passage that allos this?

What about fire and police? Again post passage allowing the Exception

meal preparation is exempted for the same reason. the day is not meant to cause us hunger, pain, etc.

So taco Bell and pizza hut workers are doing the lords work?

 

[Pahansiri]

Yes I am sure you can not understand your hypocrisy either. I do believe I understand as to where it is rooted.

 

[Iacchus]

Yes I am sure you can not understand your hypocrisy either. I do believe I understand as to where it is rooted.

If in fact I don't have "a soul," the last thing I need to worry about -- you know, like on Judgment Day -- is being a hypocrite, don't you think?

 

[Pahansiri]

If in fact I don't have "a soul," the last thing I need to worry about -- you know, like on Judgment Day -- is being a hypocrite, don't you think?

If in fact I don't have "a soul," the last thing I need to worry about -- you know, like on Judgment Day -- is being a hypocrite, don't you think?

1- maybe you forgot, you were going to define just what a “soul” was. I am sure it slipped your mind.
2- Fear not if you are right neither God nor Jesus can get their story straight as to who will be judging I.E.
John 12:47 (English-NIV) "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.

John 8:15 (English-NIV) You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one.

Or

John 5:22 (English-NIV) Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,

John 5:27 (English-NIV) And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (English-NIV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

so you may be able to slid by while they work though their confusion.

3-But the fact is cause and effect can not be escaped and has not in this case as your hypocrisy was pointed out and now you have to reduce yourself to saying this silly things to cover it.


4- VERY sad you only try to do or do what is right just because of fear of a God or seeking a reward such is very empty and not at all moral.

 

[Iacchus]

3-But the fact is cause and effect can not be escaped and has not in this case as your hypocrisy was pointed out and now you have to reduce yourself to saying this silly things to cover it.

Cause-and-effect cannot be escaped by "whom?"

 

[Pahansiri]

Cause-and-effect cannot be escaped by "whom?"

the cause

Do you ever feel bad for not Answering? I feel bad for you it cast a light of confusion on your part, dishonesty and a general lack of knowledge casting also a poor light not only on you but on your beliefs.

 

[Iacchus]

the cause

Do you ever feel bad for not Answering? I feel bad for you it cast a light of confusion on your part, dishonesty and a general lack of knowledge casting also a poor light not only on you but on your beliefs.

And do "you" honestly know who you're talking to? ... Other than "yourself" perhaps? Basically all I see is what you "wish" to project. And I'm afraid that's coming from you.

 

[Pahansiri]

And do "you" honestly know who you're talking to? ... Other than "yourself" perhaps? Basically all I see is what you "wish" to project. And I'm afraid that's coming from you.

And do "you" honestly know who you're talking to? ... .

From what you have said Iacchus the founder of “the NEW Church” the chosen one.

Other than "yourself" perhaps?

If I was, you would not be responding to me.

Still sore at me that you can not prove or even explain “soul” or name 1 thing that is in and of itself, “self”? I have big shoulders I will bear your disappointment in your failure.

Basically all I see is what you "wish" to project. And I'm afraid that's coming from you.

If I could understand what you just said I would have responded.

 

[KelvinG]

So taco Bell and pizza hut workers are doing the lords work?

Oh no. They are sinning. They're all going to hell.

 

[prewitt81]

I make the point to people that make a big deal out of resting on Sunday (or Saturday for some) that it wasn't Jesus going on about the Sabbath in the New Testament, it was the Pharasees.

I know people who tell others how wrong it is to work on Sundays and then, after church, go to a restaurant and force waiters and cooks to work for them.

 

[Iacchus]

If I could understand what you just said I would have responded.

Basically, I'm saying we see what we want to see, regardless of what we're looking at. And, that what we see is what we "project" (right or wrong) towards other people.

 

[Pahansiri]

Basically, I'm saying we see what we want to see, regardless of what we're looking at. And, that what we see is what we "project" (right or wrong) towards other people.

Basically, I'm saying we see what we want to see, regardless of what we're looking at. And, that what we see is what we "project" (right or wrong) towards other people.

I agree with you, I also must say and say this with respect what you said is you to a tee.

My mind is wide open ( not always but I seek always to catch myself if I am not being so) I do not fear being wrong, if something I believe is proven wrong I will change what I believed. I have no emotional attachment to a belief, truth is truth.

You refuse to believe there is any chance you are wrong, you want others to simply believe you because you believe what you do and you say it is true.

Yet you can offer no proof.

Prove it and I will believe it, it is that simple..

May I ask, as a friend an honest question ( hoping beyond hope he at last will answer) what is your goal coming here?

 

[Iacchus]

My mind is wide open ( not always but I seek always to catch myself if I am not being so) I do not fear being wrong, if something I believe is proven wrong I will change what I believed. I have no emotional attachment to a belief, truth is truth.

If your mind is wide open you should be careful about what you let inside, otherwise you might get the wrong idea about someone or, something.

 

[Iacchus]

I have no emotional attachment to a belief, truth is truth.

If truth is truth, what is good?