Oct 21, 2026 · 40 min · 12 segments
We’ve all heard about mixed faith families, but what happens when everyone is Jewish, but one person is more observant? When does this become a burden on the rest of the family? And does that matter?…
Shira StutmanHost
Hanna RosinHostGregGuest
Kate MishkinHost
Shira and Hana, what do the rabbis slash tradition say about religious observance that negatively affects others? Very intriguing start.
After Chutzpah episode, where you talked about helping a congregant create more meaningful Shabbat observance, I decided to start a new practice about six months ago.
In a world of excessively being online and always distracted, this creates wonderful space and time for reflection.
Occasionally, my wife will be out, have some random question, we'll text one of our children to go ask me and text her back.
Naturally, this tremendous imposition akin to being forced to wander the Sinai for 40 years without water, irony, sarcasm, sarcasm, results in a level of fetching only young adults are capable of.
So what is one to do? Flex the observance? I'm a reformed Jew, so observance is somewhat of a fluid thing.
Or do I roll my eyes and suggest that it's possible that someday, remote though the possibility might be, my children will experience a greater burden in life? Ask my spouse to stop texting the children? I did have a Saturday where I did use my phone, which my children thought made it clear how unimportant the observance was.
But a colleague was in serious distress about a work situation, and I reasoned Pikuach Nefesh meant I should speak with him.
But the kids were not buying that this was more life-saving than whether we were out of milk.
But seriously, is there an obligation to ensure your observance doesn't burden others? As an aside, I've never really liked the Shabbos Goy notion.
Greg.
Shira and Hana, what do the rabbis slash tradition say about religious observance that negatively affects others? Very intriguing start.
After Chutzpah episode, where you talked about helping a congregant create more meaningful Shabbat observance, I decided to start a new practice about six months ago.
In a world of excessively being online and always distracted, this creates wonderful space and time for reflection.
Occasionally, my wife will be out, have some random question, we'll text one of our children to go ask me and text her back.
Naturally, this tremendous imposition akin to being forced to wander the Sinai for 40 years without water, irony, sarcasm, sarcasm, results in a level of fetching only young adults are capable of.
So what is one to do? Flex the observance? I'm a reformed Jew, so observance is somewhat of a fluid thing.
Or do I roll my eyes and suggest that it's possible that someday, remote though the possibility might be, my children will experience a greater burden in life? Ask my spouse to stop texting the children? I did have a Saturday where I did use my phone, which my children thought made it clear how unimportant the observance was.
But a colleague was in serious distress about a work situation, and I reasoned Pikuach Nefesh meant I should speak with him.
But the kids were not buying that this was more life-saving than whether we were out of milk.
But seriously, is there an obligation to ensure your observance doesn't burden others? As an aside, I've never really liked the Shabbos Goy notion.
Greg.
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