Think Shabbat is all about turning things off? Think again.

This week's Torah portion, Vayakhel, offers a unique perspective on Shabbat observance. While the prohibition of lighting fires is explicitly mentioned, it's just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Let's explore how Shabbat has evolved over time and continues to change in our modern world of LED lights and electric vehicles.

Key Takeaways

1. We're empowered to ask questions and engage deeply with how we observe Shabbat.
2. There's no single "correct" way to observe – different communities and individuals may have valid approaches.
3. The spirit of Shabbat – rest, rejuvenation, and connection – is just as important as the technical details.
4. We can look for ways to enhance our Shabbat experience that align with both tradition and our modern lives.

Timestamps

(0:00) Intro: Shabbat is more than just unplugging

(5:53) Dancing and swimming on Shabbat in ancient times

(11:49) Fluidity of Sabbath observance throughout history

(18:11) Book of Jubilees and temple-focused Shabbat

(23:35) Modern debates on electricity use on Shabbat

(28:38) Rethinking Shabbat observance for today's world

Links & Learnings

• Sign up for free and get more from our weekly newsletter https://madlik.com/
• Sefaria Source Sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/633571
• Transcript on episode web page: https://madlik.com/2025/03/19/electric-sabbath/