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For Extroverts and Parents
For the extroverts among us and those who live with others who might need to be entertained, Shabbat afternoon can be a wonderful time to play board or card games. Although we don’t write on Shabbat, any necessary scorekeeping can be done with scraps of paper and the pages of a thick book.
Shabbat afternoon is also a great opportunity to invite friends or neighbors to visit.
When I lived in a largely Jewish neighborhood, I would often knock on friends’ doors with board games in hand. Now, I love to invite those who may not otherwise experience Shabbat to my home and give them a taste of our world with games, snacks, and eventually, Havdalah.
Musical Instruments, a More Controversial Practice
For one more introverted activity on a Shabbat afternoon, I love spending the early evening practicing piano, only playing what gives me the most joy and comfort. If I ever become frustrated, I set that particular piece or exercise aside for another day of practice; Shabbat is not the time for tsuris (pain, struggle).
Still, I am aware that not everyone in the Conservative movement accepts the permission to play instruments on Shabbat. We may be tempted to fix our instruments if they break, violating a Shabbat prohibition.
However, I believe that we are each wise enough to use our discretion when playing instruments for the sake of rest and delight on Shabbat.
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