myself, I don't think the law is hard to understand.
I think that there is wide variation in how each individual will apply it...
for example,
one person will use electricity on the Sabbath, but otherwise have a quiet day at home or at a fellowship.
another might decide not to use electricity because it would require the power plant worker to break the Sabbath.
a third might use electricity and go hang gliding, because that's the most restful thing they can think of to do on the Sabbath.
These types of questions are really common. This is because of the Pharisees hedge laws added into the law.
These can make Sabbath confusing. It is simple really. The Torah gives instruction. We follow it if it applies to us. We are keeping Torah.
The verses dealing with Sabbath are in Hebrew. So we always want to make sure we understand what they say. English and Hebrew have different numbers of words for work. Work in English can mean anything from a piece of art to practicing (working at it) to what you call your job. Hebrew has more words in this vein. So we need to use the Hebrew concept word for the word translated as work. The main Sabbath commands are in Leviticus 23
Leviticus 23:*3**Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of*יהוה*in all your dwellings.
Here the word work Is: H4399
Original:*מלאכה
Transliteration:*melâ'kâh
Phonetic:*mel-aw-kaw'
BDB Definition:
occupation, professional work, business occupation, business property work (something done or made)workmanship service, business political
Origin: from the same as*H4397
TWOT entry: 1068b
Part(s) of speech: Noun Feminine
Strong's Definition: From the same as*H4397; properly*deputyship, that is, ministry; generally*employment*(never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also*property(as the result of*labor): - business, + cattle, + industrious, occupation, (+ -pied), + officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work ([-man], -manship).
So we see the work shown here is for profit work.
Easy peasy.
It also specifically does not apply to servile work. Which is why servile work is called out separately for Sabbaths that forbid it as well. In English it reads as a duplicate meaning as work means either servile work or for profit work. That is one of the problems with translations. Which is why we have concordances.
But notice it also says Convocation.
This is from H4744
Original:*מקרא
Transliteration:*miqrâ'
Phonetic:*mik-raw'
BDB Definition:
convocation, convoking, reading, a calling together convocation, sacred assembly convoking reading
Origin: from*H7121
TWOT entry: 2063d
Part(s) of speech: Noun Masculine
Strong's Definition: From*H7121; something*called out, that is, a public*meeting(the act, the persons, or the place); also a*rehearsal: -assembly, calling, convocation, reading.
So we are also told that Sabbath should involve gathering together at some designated place to read and practice our faith.
So at its base. Sabbath is very easy to understand. Go to assembly if you can. (If there is one near you) where the scriptures are read. And do not work for profit. And that this is a form of ministry. There are some qualifying verses to make this easier to understand as well.
Such as Exodus 20:*8**Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
*9**Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
*10**But the seventh day is the Sabbath of*יהוה*thy Elohim: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
*11**For in six days*יהוה*made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore*יהוהblessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Here we find that even our personal servants and our children are not to do work for pay. Nor our beasts of burdens Who of course are paid in room and board.
So you can't pay your maids to work in the house. And you cannot even pay allowance for chores to get done by your kids. No problem just hire foreigners. Its not their sabbath right? Wrong. If they are part of your household or household business, even temporarily... No.
Now before we look at the next verse block, let's jump forward to 1 john 5:1**Whosoever believeth that Yahushua is the Messiah is born of*יהוה: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
*2**By this we know that we love the children of*יהוה, when we love*יהוה, and keep his commandments.
*3**For this is the love of*יהוה, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
*4**For whatsoever is born of*יהוה*overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Ok speaks for itself to me. But lets break it down for the sin doctrine crew. If you love Messiah you love His Father. We show our love for Messiah not only by keeping his instruction, but the instruction of his father. His Torah. His law. And they are neither hard or bad or bring grief. And keeping his commands will help us overcome this world. And is part of our faith. And we know what we are told he who overcomes recieves... Eternal reward!
Ok so having read this let us look at the next verse set from Exodus 35:1**And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which*יהוה*hath commanded, that ye should do them.
*2**Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a Sabbath of rest to*יהוה: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.
*3**Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings upon the Sabbath day.
In the Hebrew this is all one sentence. And even in the English verse 4 completely changes course. Making this all one thought so so speak
So was YHWH saying you could have fire anywhere except in your house on Sabbath? We should freeze in winter? As lights were all flame based then, were we to sit in the dark inside, but we could have a campfire? What? This is silly.
His commands are not grievous. His burden light. Well kindling fire without matches or lighter can be a chore. As can gathering wood. So this should be done before Sabbath. But is that even what this means? Lets stop looking at this with 21st century eyes for a minute.
Fire was the major power tool of the time. This is speaking of starting a fire for profit generation work.
This was also the main belief of all jews until the Hascidic revolution began in the early 18th century.
The talmud does forbid baking or starting or extinguishing a fire. So they do add a bit. But maintaining a fire was fine and expected unless you had not gathered enough wood. Then you just let it go out on its own.
So even the old Pharisees had no where near the rules that the modern ones do.
So we are to gather on the Sabbath to read and practice worship. We are to rest. And not have anyone else working in our homes or business. And we are not to try and make a profit.
This seems pretty simple.
However helping a neighbor, saving an animal or person, the work of ministers including musicians playing worship music, and national defense all get a bye. Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath. His commands are not greivous.
Sabbath should not people in danger. Which means utility companies need to be operating.. For heat and medical and defense and refrigeration. And this is what most Jews believe as well, although some use tradition to try and make it harder than it is. Pharisees again.
Adding laws that are hard to bear.
Messiah expected us to keep Sabbath after he left us the first time. As he told the believers to pray that they would not have to run on Sabbath during the time of Jacobs trouble.
So unless you add to scripture, this is easy peasy.
So to your originally stated examples the person resting and gathering to fellowship on sabbath is keeping it to Torah.
The second person is welcome to not use electricity on Sabbath. But a plant worker keeps explosions, melt downs, electrocutions and fires from happening endangering lives. They also keep medical machines and armies police and fire operating. Again preserving lives. No Torah violation.
Our Hang Glider, so long as he has met his readings and gathering as best as possible to do whatever relaxes him. And Rests his body and mind.
How to keep Torah is not hard if we do not add in extra rules. No ambiguity.