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Lisa J. Grushkow 41

The primary goal of Shabbat observance is the avoidance of gainful work and of all activities which do not contribute to the celebration of Shabbat as a day of joy(Oneg), a day of holiness (Kedushah), and a day of rest(Menuchah). Shabbat is a day of leisure in which time is used to express our humanness.'?

Knobel then revises Plaut’s list of Shabbat mitzvot. Knobel’s list is longer than Plaut’s, and includes more of what might be called the ethical mitzvot in addition to the ritual ones. Concerning refraining from work, Knobel recognizes the challenge of defining what qualifies as work that should be avoided on Sabbat :

Abstinence from work is a major expression of Shabbat observance; however, it is no simple matter to define work today. Certain activities which some do to earn a living, others do for relaxation or to express their creativity. Clearly, though, one should avoid one’s normal occupation or profession on Shabbat whenever possible and engage only in those types of activities which enhance the Oneg(joy), Menuchah(rest), and Kedushah (holiness) of the day."

Whereas for Plaut the definition of work was relatively straightforward, for Knobel it is not.

The question of what is rest and what is work comes to the fore in the Gates of Shabbat, written by Rabbi Mark Shapiro and published by the CCAR in 1996. Gates of Shabbat is intended as a new guidebook to observing Shabbat for Reform Jews, based on Plaut’s efforts a generation before. The tone is noticeably different, and this difference is acknowledged in one of the final sections, “Thinking in Terms of Mitzvah/Commandment for Reform Jews.” Whereas Plaut defines mitzvah as“what a Jew ought to do in response to God and the tradition of our people,” Shapiro suggests