Even most non-Yids know that Shabbat is the day of rest, but did you know there are 39 categories of work that are prohibited on the Sabbath? If not, you better listen to this episode where we discuss some of them, or you’ll just go on sinning every Sabbath and be none-the-wiser.

We’ll talk about the benefits of Shabbat in the reconnecting with family and community, the history and significance of lighting the Shabbat candles, the Saturday evening Havdalah service which closes out the Sabbath, and many other questions around the commandment and poignancy of celebrating the Sabbath.

Then, we’ll make the hardest of hard turns…moving from the serenity of Shabbat to the fire and brimstone of our Parsha of the week, Sodom and Gomorrah.

Why did G-d feel it necessary to give Abraham warning that he was going to destroy the city? Why did G-d listen to Abraham when he negotiated for the lives of the innocent people who lived there? What does this tell us about the Bible’s perspective on collective punishment?

Links for the week:

Parsha: Genesis 18:17 - 18:33

Recommended Reading: The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel