What can I do on the Sabbath? This is a  question that many people have—especially our children. The Sabbath can be a joyful and exciting day.

The Sabbath can be a joyful and exciting day.

As we look to the Bible for answers to this question, we find many wonderful possibilities to make this day not only enjoyable, but spiritually meaningful and edifying.

As we study the Scriptures, we see that certain activities were viewed to be within the perimeters of the purpose of the Sabbath, which is to draw humans closer to Elohim, their Creator, and to one another. These activities include…

• The Scriptures were read and taught to the people on the Sabbath day (Luke 4:16; Acts 13:14–15, 27,44; 15:21; 17:2).
• The Word of Elohim could be taught on the Sabbath (Mark 6:2; Luke 4:16-27,31; Acts 13:15–48; 15:21; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4).
• Preaching occurred on the Sabbath (Acts 13:42; 15:21).
• Exhorting (or strongly encouraging or urging) one another occurred on the Sabbath (Acts 13:15).
• The gifts of the Set-Apart Spirit of Elohim were practiced on the Sabbath in the congregation (1 Corinthians 12 and 14).
• Work connected with religious service was lawful on the Sabbath (Num 28:9; Matt 12:5; John 7:23).
• Good deeds and works of mercy are lawful on the Sabbath such as healing the sick (Matt 12:11–12; Mark 3:1–5; Luke 6:6–10; 13:10–13; 14:1–4; John 5:8–16; 9:14).
• Acts needed to sustain life could be performed on the Sabbath such as feeding farm animals, pulling an ox out of a ditch or performing a circumcision (Matt 12:1–5; Mark 2:23–26; Luke 6:1–4; 13:15; 14:5; John 7:22–23).
• One is not to go out of one’s dwelling place on the Sabbath to gather food (to work, earn a living; see Exod 16:29–30), but attendance of religious meeting is acceptable (see below).
• Yeshua attended synagogue on the Sabbath (Mark 1:21; 6:2; Luke 4:16; 6:6; 13:10).
• Paul attended synagogue on the Sabbath and taught or discussed the Scriptures (Acts 13:14, 42; 17:2 and 18:4).
• The apostles encouraged believers to attend synagogue on the Sabbath (Acts 15:21).
• Traveling a short distance to get to the Sabbath services is acceptable (Acts 1:12).
• Sabbath services could be held outdoors in a beautiful setting even if it was necessary to hike there on foot (Acts 16:13).
• Gather together to worship YHVH on the Sabbath (Lev 23:3; Isa 66:23; Ezek 46:3; Acts 16:13; 18:4).
• It was acceptable to heal the sick on the Sabbath (Matt 12:9–14; Mark 3:1–6; Luke 6:6–11; 13:14; John 5:9; 9:14)

Most of these principles apply to the seven biblical feasts as well.

Now a question for you the reader: What are some Sabbath activities that you do that not only honor YHVH and the Sabbath, but bring you into a closer relationship with him and our fellow redeemed Israelites? How about for the kids? How can we keep them excited about the Sabbath?

One possibility of a Sabbath activity is our Torah Explorers Torah study guide for young people available for free at http://www.hoshanarabbah.org/parshiot.html. My adult Torah study guide is located at this link as well. Enjoy!