Embodied Practices of the Jewish Sabbath Among the Ultra-Orthodox in Israel: Freedom Despite Limitations

Abstract

In this article, I focus on three embodied aspects of the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jewish Shabbat: clothing, meals, and appropriate conversation topics. Jewish law, alongside traditions and customs developed over the years, mandates changes during the Sabbath, including prohibitions and restrictions. However, interviews with ultra-Orthodox Israelis reveal a more complex picture. Rather than perceiving religious law as limiting, they view these practices as creating a sacred religious world that transcends the ordinary and is linked to feelings of choice and liberation. Observing these Shabbat laws connects individuals to sacred time and transforms what may seem restrictive into an empowering experience. By analyzing the emotional and experiential dimensions of devout Shabbat observance, this article offers a broader theoretical perspective on how embodied religious practices shape community and religious–cultural traditions while contributing to a deeper understanding of personal agency in creating sacred experiences as part of the wider context of religious life.