Sabbath

[ubermandy]

Hi,
I have learned a lot from the people who post here, and I feel that I am ready to attend a service at a Messianic congregation. My husband has expressed his displeasure with our current church situation, but he is not ready to consider messianic judaism. He is working towards attending med school, and has a busy schedule. We talked this morning, and I was suprised that his biggest barrier is the friday/saturday sabbath. He works every Saturday in cardiac rehab at a local hospital, and feels that he will always work Saturdays during med school, residency, and private practice.

Here are some questions he asked me that I could not answer. Maybe someone could help.

Is it okay for people in the medical profession, firemen, police, and people in other service related fields to not observe the friday/saturday sabbath?

If it is, why would G-d make an exception?

If he did make an exception, is sunday sabbath an exception, too, because it is culturally accepted?
He feels he would be able to observe the sunday because culturally, doctors offices and the like are closed.

Also, should I attend without my husband? I'm not really sure about this.

Thanks,
Mandy

 

[Henaynei]

Here are some questions he asked me that I could not answer. Maybe someone could help.

Is it okay for people in the medical profession, firemen, police, and people in other service related fields to not observe the friday/saturday sabbath?

Yes

If it is, why would G-d make an exception?

For the same reason that Yeshua was healing on the Sabbath - saving a life, relieving suffering is a higher Law than Shabbat. Even Rabbinic Judaism says it is ok to pull a sheep out of a pit on Shabbat - how much more a human.

If he did make an exception, is sunday sabbath an exception, too, because it is culturally accepted?

No - you can worship G-d any and every day of the week - but only Friday/Saturday is THE L-rd's Shabbat.

He feels he would be able to observe the sunday because culturally, doctors offices and the like are closed.

I am a nurse - most doctor's offices are also closed on Saturday And no doctor (except an intern) works every Shabbat. So he can attend on the Sabbaths he has off. We had a fireman in our congregation who could only attend every other or 3rd Shabbat - and he still became the president of the Brotherhood - they scheduled their meetings (and the Sisterhood meetings) around when he was ain attendance It is really not as large an obsticle as you might think. The fireman's wife and childern attended every Shabbat. And the whole family came for most Hebrew classes and Scripture classes, etc.

Also, should I attend without my husband? I'm not really sure about this.

There is no reason not to - In normative orthodox Judaism the men attend services without their wives all the time. What is really important is what is happening in your home and relationship and lives.

**Idea** you and your husband can get tapes of the "sermons" of each Shabbat and listen to them together on Sunday. You will find you can have a very meaningful time with each other and G-d discussing the "sermons" and reading and discussing together the Torah readings (found on most Jewish calendars - esp Messianic ones) for each week Or you can go here and get that information


Actually, it sounds like you had it right to start with - he does not feel quite ready. Perhaps there are some other concerns or fears he has that you could post here and folks could try to answer.....

 

[ubermandy]

Talked with my husband, Dan, some more this morning. I actually misunderstood his thoughts about working on Saturdays. He is actually planning on working Saturdays by choice. He feels this is a huge step in providing extraordinary health care.
I am 100% sure that G-d has lead him to the medical field. We went through some major changes for him to pursue becoming a doctor. It is not something that we planned. Dan actually gave up a full ride to one of the best physical therapy schools.
That being said, I trust that G-d will lead us every step. I believe G-d has given him a passion and gift for revolutionizing health care, but I don't think G-d would lead him in a way that is contradictory to Scripture.

Also, you are right about there being other questions and concerns. So, whenever I get the chance, I'll be sure to ask for some guidance from you all.

I like the idea to listen to services together. I think that would help us stay on track with each other. My fear is to delve into something that he wants nothing to do with, and winding up in two different places.

Thanks for your input,
Mandy