I don't observe Shabbat. I have enjoyed and am comfortable with lighting the Shabbat Candles and welcoming and honoring Shabbat. However, I drive on Shabbat, I partake in activities on Saturday, I cook on Saturday, and I do not have Shabbat dinners. I have however, stopped doing work related activities on Saturday and begun to treat the day different then Sundays.
I find it difficult to be in services when I know I don't observe Shabbat. I have been going to services, not as an expression of observing Shabbat, but more as a learning experience, at least for right now. Recently, I began reading the English during services as opposed to focusing on the transliteration. In several areas of the Siddur, I almost felt ashamed to be in Shul as I read about the gift of Shabbat. I felt very uneasy knowing the prayers were about the importance of observing Shabbat and knowing that I do not observe. Although, other sections that were about praising G-d and his gifts to us - life, Torah, and even Shabbat. I could appreciate those sections and felt good to be apart of what I was reading.
Reading the English has enabled me to take a more active, engaging role during services. Certainly, reading/chanting the transliteration made me feel engaged and part of the community; but without knowing what I was reading made it difficult to feel actively involved. Reading the English definitely helped.
So, for now, I will continue with lighting of the candles, going to services when I can and learning about Shabbat. For now, I can only honor Shabbat in this way and respect the gift that has been given to me and feel apart of the community that I belong to.
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