Sentimental Sunday: Checkmate
Thomas Joseph Benedict McLoughlin I'm reading a book at the moment - well several really, but that's another story. The longlist for the Booker Prize was recently announced so, as usual, I cherish this fantasy that I will be able to read them all and guess the shortlist. The book I am reading is called "The Marrying of Chani Kaufman" and is about an ultra -Orthodox Jewish marriage. It discusses various customs including behaviour on the Sabbat or what some of us might call the Sabbath. If you want to see the 39 activities forbidden on the Sabbat click here. My mother came from a mixed marriage - a Protestant who married a Catholic. She used to tell me how Sundays were a bit of a sore point in her home when she was growing up. Apparently my grandfather steadfastly resisted doing anything on a Sunday, being brought up a strict Catholic. So no "work" of any kind. No housework, no work in the garden - but things still had to get done so...