Thou Shall Not Kindle A Fire On The Sabbath Day (Exodus 35:3)

The prohibition "Thou shalt not kindle a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day" (Exod. 35:3) has been debated among those who observe the Sabbath day. Jews and Samaritans have interpreted it as a permanent prohibition for the Sabbath itself is a permanent law. But, Jews are divided into two views. The first view does not allow Jews to kindle and keep a fire burning continually on the Sabbath day. The second view allows Jews to have a fire on the Sabbath, but the fire itself cannot be kindled, refueled or extinguished during the Sabbath hours. The Samaritans do not allow their members to kindle and keep a fire burning on the Sabbath day. Some Christian scholars have interpreted it as a temporary prohibition and relate it to the time of Israel's wandering in the wilderness for forty years. According to other scholars, however, a prohibition that used (l ) as its negative particle must be considered permanent. Other scholars relate it to the construction of the Tabernacle and its equipment. In this view, it seems that this prohibition was valid less than one year. Others relate it to pagan worship. But this study has given another view for Sabbath observer.