Shabbat for beginners and pickleball enthusiasts...(PART 1)

Within the scope of my life, a Kohen/Levite who believes Yeshua is Messiah, I have the absolute pleasure of living out a very practical Torah observant existence. In my position, which includes my duty as a rabbi, I have had to answer a lot of questions concerning what an "observant" life looks like for people coming to Torah. Understandably, one of the most popular reform opportunities for believers from the nations, who also believe in Yeshua, happens to be Sabbath.

While I very boldly as a descendant of the tribe of Levi, aim to protect the cultural boundaries of my people within the 12 tribes of Israel, I have for as long as I have been in ministry, welcomed believers from the nations to pick up Sabbath as a gift for themselves to be blessed by.

Even today, I saw a question from someone who is exploring the opportunity to make Sabbath a personal experience. In fact this blog has been inspired by the question asked by this person on a public forum for like-minded believers.

In simple terms the person asked the community to weigh in on whether or not it is appropriate to play a game of pickleball on Sabbath. In my interaction with the person in question, I noted that their respect of Sabbath in the early stages of their drawing nearer to Israel through Sabbath is commendable. Even just asking a question of that kind is a form of worship itself.

So, the obvious question now is "Can a person play pickleball on Sabbath"?

To answer that, you have to first determine what Sabbath is and then what is expected in relation to what Sabbath is.

In answering this question, I have to admit a frustration I live with as a Torah Observant Levite. Unfortunately, it seems that the poster child for Judaism recent years, has become the Orthodox Jewish image. I note this because of how many times people who find out I am Jewish have asked about the "strange" actions of some Jews. These people don't mean harm, but yes, looking into the strict lifestyle of the Orthodox community from the outside can look very intense.

I am afraid that even for those who have left Christianity to observe a Torah lifestyle of some kind, they may have taken a page from the Orthodox playbook when it comes to Sabbath. I know this from experience because some time back I had a student who was studying Messianic Judaism with me, ask if they were allowed to play golf on Sabbath. Even when they made the call, I could hear the fear in their voice.

Before I tell you what halacha(ruling) I gave, need to first bring some perspective on Sabbath, particularly for anyone who says they are turning to Sabbath because they follow Yeshua.

As a person of Israeli descent who believes Jesus is Messiah, I sit in a fairly unique position. Add to the fact that I am a rabbi and a Kohen(priest), makes the situation even more complex. However, I don't have a hard time coming to a conclusion on issues like this in terms of observance because I only have to look to my Messiah figure, my rabbi, Jesus/Yeshua.

What is so fascinating about topics like this is the fact that if you actually put Yeshua into a category of Jewish observance in His day, He would be a Pharisee! Now if that is not shocking enough for you, I am going to shock you further and tell you that the irony is that Jesus' position on Sabbath did not sit well with "Pharisees".

Yes it is that complicated, but I promise it is worth it. Come join me in PART 2 of this mini series for a fuller perspective...