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shabbos goy

religionculture

The term "shabbos goy" has its roots in Orthodox Jewish tradition, where non-Jews help observant Jews perform tasks prohibited on the Sabbath.

Definition

B2Orthodox Judaism

(religious, traditional)A non-Jew who assists observant Jews by performing tasks that are forbidden for them on the Sabbath.

Example

  • The family asked their neighbor to be their shabbos goy and turn on the lights.

B2Modern Usage

(neutral, positive)A non-Jew who helps Jewish neighbors by doing tasks they cannot do on the Sabbath.

Example

  • He felt honored to be the shabbos goy for his Jewish friends.

C1Derogatory

(derogatory, antisemitic)A slur used by some white supremacists to describe non-Jews who support Jewish communities.