Rachel Binstock says that the 39 melachot are what create the meaning of Shabbat, but it is rare for Jews to practice the original forms of labor during the other 144 hours of the week because modern technologies have made them mostly obsolete.
To internationally renowned Israeli singer-songwriter David Broza, music is a platform for dialogue and tolerance. Themes of social justice and peace are embedded in his music and are integral to his humanitarian work. Now Broza, known for his dynamic guitar performances, has put his prodigious talents to work creating new music for the Shabbat service. He is in conversation with Moment books and opinion editor Amy E. Schwartz about his new album, Tefila—prayer in Hebrew—which reimagines the service with genres such as pop, jazz, gospel, folk and classical for a fresh and engaging Shabbat experience.
Like many Jews, Victoria Kimerling plans to celebrate the end of a long workweek by sitting down to a traditional Shabbat meal. But unlike most traditional Shabbat meals, Kimerling will spend this one with 2,000 of her closest friends.
