>>>>>>>I just wish it wasn't always over a weekend/Saturday.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Can't please everyone. I, for one, appreciate the planning that minimizes my time away from the office.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>True. Tuvia is orthodox Jewish so Saturdays are out for him.
>>>>
>>>>and Friday evenings...
>>>
>>>That too <g>. We used to live two blocks from each other when I lived in Chicago. That neighborhood has changed some but has traditionally been heavily Jewish. Probably half a dozen synagogues within walking distance. Saul Bellow lived there as a young man.
>>
>>Did you ever get asked to turn things off etc. Used to happen occasionally in Stamford Hill a very orthodox Jewish are in London.
>
>Wow. I have friends who are orthodox Jews and I used to have neighbors as well who were very strict following their religious beliefs and never did they ever attempt to impose their restrictions on any one else. What the heck were you doing that was loud enough or noisy enough to blast the neighbors? Were you running a chain saw or blaring music in their front yard or something? :o)

It took me about three readings to finally understand why you were upset. Unfortunately, the question was phrased poorly for those that didn't know the meaning.

The problem isn't having a light on, or having music playing. The problem is the actual turning of the switch for these things. It is perfectly OK to turn on a light, radio, TV, etc. on Friday afternoon - before sundown when Shabbat actually begins - and then read, listen, watch, etc. afterwards. The problem is that turning everything off (turning the switch, pushing the button, etc) is considered work and not permitted once Sabbath begins.

These proscriptions do not apply to non-Jews. Therefore, some Orthodox Jews will ask a non-Jew to come into their house and turn everything off.

Not even the most Orthodox Jew would ever ask a non-Jew to turn off lights/music/TV etc in their own (the non-Jew's) house. Not even one who wanted to "impose religion" would do so because the act of turning everything off would be a violation of religion law.