Jewish BT question....

Are you getting paid to tri? Do you tri for fun? If it's for fun, then it's not work...IMHO. Just because you do something fun that OTHERS consider work doesn't make it so.

I'm a non-practicing Jew and was curious so I looked it up.

The short answer seems to be "no". 

Though, it is okay to run (hurry?) to the synagogue to pray or to run to do a mitzvah.  Read more about it here:

http://books.google.com/books?id=XGEMTh6xCV4C&pg=PA351&lpg=PA351&dq=running+on+the+sabbath&source=bl&ots=H5JGVQ9U7v&sig=mMwx9QiJIGxMvrl1wrInGlDMAqE&hl=en&ei=86W2So6aI4ns6APjudHrCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2#v=onepage&q=running%20on%20the%20sabbath&f=false

I ran across this site when doing some research for a Philosophy of Religion class last week. There is some interesting stuff there. Basically, from the looks of stuff, Oneg Shabbat would allow you to exercise on Shabbat, providing it is something you enjoy (though you should not over-exert yourself). Also, bicycles are a weekday activity - but apparently running, and other exercise is OK - though maybe Oneg Shabbat would apply to cycling, providing you are not "riding somewhere" and you pump tires the night before - no real "work" involved, and it is sheerly done out of enjoyment (and you don't ride too far).

These are the rules for Orthadox Jews, and would probably apply simmilarly to Conservative. I have no idea if you are Progressive/Liberal/Reform.

http://judaism.about.com/od/sabbathdayshabba1/Ask_the_Orthodox_Rabb...

Ask Rabbi Simmons:

Question

I would like to know if it is permitted to run on Shabbat. By this I mean run instead of walk, not as a sport. If one has to cover a long distance can one run part of it? It is physically exerting I know, but it is not work.

Answer

While there are certain restrictions on Shabbat activity, there is a special mitzvah called "Oneg Shabbat" -- which means a person should do what is enjoyable on Shabbat!

Actually, if a person is exercising for enjoyment, it is permitted to exercise on Shabbat. One should he careful, however, not to push himself too much, because to get sweaty and overexerted goes against the spirit of rest and serenity that Shabbat is designed to provide. (see "Code of Jewish Law" O.C. 301:2)


Question: Why do orthodox Jews refrain from riding bikes on the Sabbath?

Answer: Bicycles should not be ridden on Shabbat for three reasons:

1.If the bike's chain falls off or the tire goes flat, one might repair the bicycle. ("Tzitz Eliezer" by R' E. Waldenberg, VII 30). Fixing the bike is like "making the bike anew", which is an act of creation. Jews refrain from creative activites on Shabbat.
2.Bike riding is considered uvdin d'chol (a weekday activity). ("Code of Jewish Law" O.C. 327; MB 7).
3.It is common to travel with a bicycle for a distance longer than the t'chum (Sabbath's 2000 cubit limit outside the city). To avoid going out of the t'chum, one should not travel with a bicycle on the Sabbath.

Edited by tjtryon 2009-09-20 5:14 PM

If running brings you enjoyment then it would in fact be considered a mitzvah to do.  However, if you want to follow the laws and customs, you would not be able to listen to music (electronic devices are prohibited because work is required to turn on and power them).  Additionally you cannot carry anything outside of the t'chum, which if you don't live in an orthodox community is not something you likely know the limits of.  But you do not sound like an overly observant person so it sounds to me that to answer your question running is not breaking the spirit of the law.

have a good run on saturday

ok I grew up secular, then became quite observant (orthodox by most standards) and now like the traditions and the basis but do not follow halacha in a ritualistic way.  however i can answer your question.

Orthodox rabbis would tell you it is not consistent with shabbat.  I always had issues with that.  Bike riding has another issue in that if you get a flat or have another mechanical issue you are not supposed to fix anything on shabbat.

Whilst I was out doing my ride yesterday, I was riding on a road called Justice hill.  Given that Rosh Hashanah is also known as judgement day I thought it was apropos. 

As a semi-jew, I would like to offer the following:
Running is fine but use yanks [tm] so you don't have to tie your shoes, which might be considered work

Unless you have a race coming up, why not use the high holy days as rest days? Why risk it if you're not sure? I'm sure you can find justification for both sides of the argument.

One main reason is she self identifies herself as not observant.

The requirement for Rosh Hashanah is to hear the shofar blasts (close to 100) and sometime between Rosh Hashanah and the end of Sukkot do Tashlich.

For Yom Kippur the halacha is to fast - that is more important than going to synagogue - now given that it would be difficult if not downright stupid to train without drinking any water, that would preclude training on Yom Kippur.

For Sukkot, the halacha is to build a sukkah.

The cool thing about judaism is that we do NOT need an intermediary, we are permitted to study the texts and interpret the law ourselves (very different from many other religions).

But she says in her original question that she "tries to be a little better" during the high holy days. Hence my suggestion to err on the side of caution and work around them. Maybe I'm in over my head here.