CCAR RESPONSA
New American Reform Responsa
61. Synagogue Tours on Shabbat
QUESTION: Our synagogue is a national landmark, and is visited by a large number of individuals throughout the year. Tour companies seek to schedule visits on shabbat afternoon. There is no problem about opening the building through a non-Jewish caretaker, however, our Jewish guides who normally take the groups through the building have objected to being scheduled on shabbat.Is it more important to show the synagogue or to rest on shabbat? (Alice Grafner, Pittsburgh PA)ANSWER: During the last decades we have done a great deal to enhance the observance of shabbat and to minimize any activity akin to work or which would infringe on the spirit of rest, worship or study of this day. We may, of course, interpret showing the synagogue on shabbat as study, broadly understood. A major segment of shabbat has traditionally been set aside for study. Such study should be pleasurable and not considered a task. As the guides do not view it in this fashion and see it as work, we cannot justify the tours on these grounds. We should, of course, also consider the considerable effort we have made to teach the non-Jewish world about Judaism. There are national groups as well as special institutions like the Jewish Chautauqua Society of the National Brotherhoods which deal exclusively with Jewish/Christian relations, and make an effort to bring about understanding in the broader Christian community. We have a clash of values. The members of the congregation want to inform the world around us about Judaism, but are also sensitive about shabbat; that should be honored. It is a good sign and indicates that our efforts to enhance shabbat are bearing fruit. We could accommodate the Christian visitors through the use of modern technology, and provide them with an appropriate audio tape on shabbat which will explain the symbols of the synagogue and answer questions commonly asked. It should also indicate that no Jewish tour guide is on duty as shabbat is our day of rest. I am sure the Christian visitors will appreciate the effort on their behalf, as well as the desire of the guides to observe shabbat in the appropriate fashion.February 1990
If needed, please consult Abbreviations used in CCAR Responsa.