"Explain how observing the Shabbat affects the Jewish way of life".

The Shabbat day starts with a service at the synagogue which lasts longer than the weekday services and after this there is another service called 'musaf'. Back at home they have a midday meal and the Kiddush is again recited. After the dinner the children go over their Jewish studies and younger children go to a Shabbat playgroup. In the afternoon the males go to the synagogue for prayers. They then study the Torah until dark when the Shabbat is over.

The Shabbat ends with a prayer asking God to bless the coming week. The rabbi performs havdalah and says another blessing over wine and spices and a third blessing over a candle. There's one last blessing over wine and the separation is complete. When the male comes home, he performs havdalah.

The Shabbat came about because when God was creating the world, on the seventh day he rested. This was made a weekly tradition in the Jewish religion. The fourth commandment states 'keep the Sabbath day holy' and many people questioned the meaning of this. Laws were made and eventually written down in the Talmud and Mishnah. They ring fenced the law with many others and by not breaking the other laws, the Sabbath day remained holy.

The Shabbat affects the Jewish way of life in many ways. On the Friday afternoon they have to come home from their jobs or school to prepare before sunset. The 39 Melachot forbids Jews to do many activities. For example, they would be unable to turn on a light because it would be classed as 'lighting' because of the spark ignited. They would be unable to shave because it is similar to 'sheep-shearing'. The 39 Melachot may be strict, but makes the Shabbat a true rest period.

Shabbat affects the relationships that Jews have because they all have to live at walking distance to the synagogue as they are unable to drive on the Shabbat. Therefore, they are unable to have as many friendships with non-Jews as they don't live near many.

In conclusion, Shabbat is very important to the Jewish religion as it affects everyone, all ages and sex, as a Jew. It can be hard for working people to finish early for Shabbat, however, is necessary to keep the day holy.