Question:
I am in my second year of an Orthodox conversion. It is my understanding that, until I complete my conversion, I should not observe Shabbos in its entirety and should intentionally perform at least one act that would be prohibited for a Jew on Shabbos.
This coming Shabbos is my mother's birthday, and she usually expects a phone call from me. Would it be halachically appropriate for me to fulfill that requirement by calling her on Shabbos, especially since it would also honor and make my mother happy? Or should I choose a different prohibited act instead?
Answer:
Hello,
Although the Shabbath has already ended in Israel, I usually don't post questions when it is still Shabbath in the States. However, you need to know this before your Shabbath ends, so I will make an exception here.
You should make sure to do something that is biblically forbidden for Jews to do. Talking on the phone is not biblically forbidden; it is rabbinical in nature. I would suggest cooking something, turning on a fire, or even writing your name on a piece of paper, as all of these are biblical transgressions of the Shabbath.
Best wishes
