To show how important Shabbat is, Jews are not allowed to work. When Jews speak of 'work' on Shabbat, they mean something quite different from the usual meaning of the word. For example, switching on a light bulb is considered to be 'working' on Shabbat, but moving furniture inside your house is not.

Jews are forbidden to drive on Shabbat, to use the telephone (except in an emergency), watch television, play computer games, take photographs or go fishing. They may go for a walk in the park, but are forbidden to take a ball with them; they may stroll past shops and look in windows, but may not buy anything. In Israel, where many Jews live, the buses do not run.

Not all Jews follow all the laws about work on Shabbat. But, no matter how they keep Shabbat, it is a day when they enjoy themselves in different ways from the rest of the week.