Making bed on the sabbath

31gH9N.9.

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I am currently homeless and have been staying at a homeless shelter in the city. I have started working in the kitchen for dinner so that I am more likely to be able to keep sleeping there. Basically tomorrow evening will be the Sabbath and I don't know if I'm allowed to do this tomorrow evening. Last time they had me wipe down and put away tables ( some homeless people are extremely messy so they definitely need to be cleaned.). After that we have to shower (it's a rule) before we go to bed. Then in the morning we have to make our bed ( another rule) before leaving or we lose our bed. My question is what would be permissible for me in my situation? I've thought about at least mentioning to them that I observe this day, but I also don't want to tell them I can't participate in something that is actually permissible (I've been known to go overboard sometimes and been too legalistic).

I definitely would rather keep my bed. The city is dangerous at night and this Friday and Saturday it will be raining.
 

Paul of Eugene OR

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I am currently homeless and have been staying at a homeless shelter in the city. I have started working in the kitchen for dinner so that I am more likely to be able to keep sleeping there. Basically tomorrow evening will be the Sabbath and I don't know if I'm allowed to do this tomorrow evening. Last time they had me wipe down and put away tables ( some homeless people are extremely messy so they definitely need to be cleaned.). After that we have to shower (it's a rule) before we go to bed. Then in the morning we have to make our bed ( another rule) before leaving or we lose our bed. My question is what would be permissible for me in my situation? I've thought about at least mentioning to them that I observe this day, but I also don't want to tell them I can't participate in something that is actually permissible (I've been known to go overboard sometimes and been too legalistic).

I definitely would rather keep my bed. The city is dangerous at night and this Friday and Saturday it will be raining.

In my church thinking there would be a problem with that would be unheard of. Go right ahead and make your bed. Will you be lifting your fork when you eat? That's ok as well, even on the Sabbath.

Rom 14:5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.
 
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Serving Zion

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I'll definitely be lifting a fork, I see no issue with that at all but I wouldn't be suprised if I did, that's how legalistic my mind gets sometimes. Sometimes I think of it as being a slave driver.
The most important thing about The Sabbath is to keep it holy. That means to not carry any burdens .. and in that way, we do not upset the bliss of the day by having some resentment.

Remember that St. Paul tells us to bear one another's burdens "so fulfil the law of Christ" - the result being that if you insist that they should respect your convictions about Sabbath day rest when in fact they have not yet learned the sanctity of the day, then in their ignorance they are justified to resent you and despise your religion. That will cause them to harden their heart.

Whereas, if you can turn the other cheek then you please them (Ephesians 6:5-7), even when they know that you have taken upon a personal suffering (joyfully, without resentment), then in such way they will come to desire the same sort of peace that you have.

Never take your own revenge, loved ones, but give room for God’s wrath—for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” says Adonai.
Romans 12:19

Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jewish or Greek people or to God’s community — just as I also try to please everyone in everything, not seeking my own benefit but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved.
1 Corinthians 10:31-33

It is reasonable that they should not expect you to do labour on your sacred day, but it is also reasonable that they should expect you to not make a messy environment for others on account of a perceived technical opportunity. So,

Finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, tenderhearted, humble-minded. Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult, but give a blessing instead — it is for this reason you were called, so that you might inherit a blessing. For,

“The one who loves life,
wanting to see good days,
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit.
He must turn away from evil and do good.
He must seek shalom and pursue it.
For the eyes of Adonai are on the righteous
and His ears open to their prayer,
but the face of Adonai is against those who do evil.”

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not be afraid or worry about their threats. Instead sanctify Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, yet with humility and reverence — keeping a clear conscience so that, whatever you are accused of, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Messiah may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good (if it is God’s will) than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3:8-17

..........................

The main point of the Sabbath day, was so that people could be released from the burdens of normal productive life.

For example, on a normal day, a worker might think "I wish I could just have a nice drink of juice and a short rest under the shade of that tree over there, but because it is harvest time and we need to get the wheat into the barn before the rains come, I'll have to wait until the day is over".

See how God is good, that He has made a day mandatory for everyone to be free of such obligation - a day to just be thankful for life and to support everyone in also glorifying Him for a life that is good :)

"For the letter kills, but the Ruach gives life" - 2 Corinthians 3:6
 
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Kenny'sID

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Make your bed.

Even if someone were to go on about it actually being work, this would fall under the "Ox in the ditch" clause. The extenuating circumstance being that you would lose your bed.

Also, I seriously doubt God would mind and may even recommend, when we are a guest in someone else' house, keep their rules...within reason and this is within reason..
 
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31gH9N.9.

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Make your bed.

Even if someone were to go on about it actually being work, this would fall under the "Ox in the ditch" clause. The extenuating circumstance being that you would lose your bed.

Also, I seriously doubt God would mind and may even recommend, when we are a guest in someone else' house, keep their rules...within reason and this is within reason..

God is definitely merciful and gracious towards people circumstances... within reason. That's why I figured I'd hop on here and see what some other people think. If I slept outdoors, I would probably be dealing with my bed anyways given the nature of camping on the streets.
 
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May the Lord bless you in your loving God given compassion for others. Making bed and taking care of others is well within your Sabbath scope of practice. It is blessing to know you have kept your faith no matter what the circumstances of your current situation. May you be blessed with God's guidance and hand in your life. I will be praying that the door will open for you to rise up and find work and life that is more suited to a Child of God such as you.
 
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I am currently homeless and have been staying at a homeless shelter in the city. I have started working in the kitchen for dinner so that I am more likely to be able to keep sleeping there. Basically tomorrow evening will be the Sabbath and I don't know if I'm allowed to do this tomorrow evening. Last time they had me wipe down and put away tables ( some homeless people are extremely messy so they definitely need to be cleaned.). After that we have to shower (it's a rule) before we go to bed. Then in the morning we have to make our bed ( another rule) before leaving or we lose our bed. My question is what would be permissible for me in my situation? I've thought about at least mentioning to them that I observe this day, but I also don't want to tell them I can't participate in something that is actually permissible (I've been known to go overboard sometimes and been too legalistic).

I definitely would rather keep my bed. The city is dangerous at night and this Friday and Saturday it will be raining.
Dear heart,
ChavaK gave you the Orthodox position, which is that it doesn't break Shabbat to make your bed. Be at peace.
 
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Open Heart

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Why would making a bed be considered "work"?
Some would think of it as house cleaning, work which women regularly do.

Also, it might be considered smoothing.

However, I thought your original answer made the most sense. It creates a home that welcomes the Shabbat.
 
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Kenny'sID

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Why would making a bed be considered "work"?

Technically getting out of bed is "work" but since we know that is not what the bible means, all I can tell you is any chore requires work, something that requires effort is work. And remember, I made no distinction as to what I thought was generally wrong or right here, just that the OP's concern is understandable.

Whatever can reasonably wait is my general rule, and if it's my regular income type work, it will wait if I have anything to say about it..
 
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ChavaK

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Some would think of it as house cleaning, work which women regularly do.
Some is allowed on shabbat, such as sweeping a floor or washing dishes if needed on shabbat.
Also, it might be considered smoothing.
I don't think that would be an issue.
However, I thought your original answer made the most sense. It creates a home that welcomes the Shabbat.
I agree. However, I was just curious why someone would think it would be considered work; what reference they are using to consider what is or is not work.
 
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Open Heart

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Some is allowed on shabbat, such as sweeping a floor or washing dishes if needed on shabbat.
That makes sense to me. Chabad taught me NOT to wash dishes, and it drove me mad. The thought of a sinkful of dishes growing bacteria for a day gave me so much anxiety that it destroyed the day for me. So on my own I just said, Forget this!--I'm sure there is a rabbinic ruling somewhere that backs me up.

I don't think that would be an issue.
Violating one of the 39 wouldn't be an issue? Confused...

I think that it's just normally thought of as work, chores, housework... Nothing more complicated than that.

SHABBAT SHALOM!
 
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gadar perets

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I agree that it is OK for you to make your bed on Sabbath in a homeless shelter. My main concern is that you are in a homeless shelter period. Perhaps, if you stated what city you are in, those reading this may be able to offer you lodging or we might have connections that may be able to help. Yeshua tells us we should take strangers in and by doing so, we do it unto him (Matthew 25:35). While you may be a stranger to us as far as never having met you, you are still a brother in the faith. Perhaps we can be a blessing to you or perhaps not, but you won't know until you ask.

Shabbat Shalom
 
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That makes sense to me. Chabad taught me NOT to wash dishes, and it drove me mad. The thought of a sinkful of dishes growing bacteria for a day gave me so much anxiety that it destroyed the day for me. So on my own I just said, Forget this!--I'm sure there is a rabbinic ruling somewhere that backs me up.
Why not buy edible kosher paper plates? ;)

Shabbat Shalom
 
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