The Prohibition on Carrying on the Sabbath Makes it Virtually Impossible for Jewish People to Worship Outside
I am still steamed about Judge Bernal’s decision in Harvest Rock. He found that California’s absolute prohibition on indoor worship was permissible because people could still worship outdoors, without any numerical limitations. I’ve already chronicled how this ruling ignores the elements: it is cold and noisy outside. Here, I’ll address an important religious objection.
During the Jewish Sabbath (from sundown Friday to a bit after sundown Saturday), there are 39 categories of prohibited “work.” One of these prohibited acts is carrying. The Orthodox Union offers this concise description:
This category absolutely forbids all carrying in the street. Even such trivial things as a key or a handkerchief must be left at home. Certainly pocketbooks, purses, wallets and key-chains may not be carried. The only thing one may carry outdoors are thin
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