I think this topic has been a very good one and I was glad to see the debate. I think most people were very respectful and handled this debate well.
There are two areas where keeping Shabbat can be broken, for serious medical reasons or to save human life. Murder can never be broken. So in this regard, I can understand why someone would think this but Torah doesn't always "seem" logical (at first).
I am simply telling you how serious of an issue this really is for Jewish people. If I don't say something, it's as bad as if I took part... just like Chaim says about the whole islam thing and standing up against evil. If we sit here and say nothing... it's as if we condoned it.
A lot of people got offended at this. That's really unfortunate because it's a beautiful thing (to observe Shabbat). Honestly, I still mess up all the time. I'll accidentally turn lights off, accidentally turn on the hot water, not thinking - open a food package, out of habit strike up a conversation about work, etc... but all Jewish people should strive to take a step towards Shabbat observance. We do everything
one step at a time so I didn't mean to overwhelm you. Taking one small but difficult step means more to Hashem than someone who observed all their life. OZ77 once told me "Commit yourself to one thing at a time ... and always remember that your small steps are much bigger to Hashem than any Orthodox Jew who was brought up religious... The more you sacrifice the greater your reward will be in the afterlife." I hope he doesn't mind my quoting him but I think these words are very profound.
Still... the penalty in the Torah for breaking Shabbat is death and thankfully we have incredible and endless mercy from Hashem for this generation. The Bible is VERY clear on this issue.
Of course, if I know a Jew does not keep the Sabbath (although it bothers me somewhat) I dont judge or say anything to them, I just hope that one day they will find spirituality and STRENGTH to keep Shabbos. It's easy not to keep Shabbos and easy not keep Kosher but it takes strenght, love and spirituality to keep these blessings. Plus to me, the easy way is NOT always the right way!
I am glad you said this. I don't judge either, Mills. I wasn't always religious and didn't always keep Shabbat. If we are hateful to other Jewish people who are trying, then what good is that going to do?
Dexter listin to http://divineinformation.com/downloads/default.asp - the video Divineinformation it is in Hebrew (with English Subtitles). After the video if you can deny Judaism please tell me possibly how.
Tzvi is right. Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi is awesome and anyone with questions on this topic should check out this audio. I think he covers it's in MUCH greater detail and answers almost every questions posted in here. The information is there if you have questions.
Still, please... Jewish people should not be posting (or logging in for that matter) in the forum on Shabbat or Yom Kippur. I am absolutely against this. Let's keep Shabbat Holy and be an example.
"Whoever is careful with the observance of Shabbat, will be forgiven for all his sins, even idolatry" (Masechet Shabbat 118b)
"If the Children of Israel would observe one Shabbat properly, the Mashiach would immediately come" (Yerushalmi Taanit 1,1)
...
"We have seen the fundamental importance of the prohibition of Melacha on Shabbat. We have seen that even one Melacha-Act on Shabbat strikes at the roots of the whole Torah, and is an arrogant denial of G-d and his mastery of the world."
http://www.ou.org/chagim/shabbat/protect.htm