Sisters wedding on Shabbat
Question
I am an observant Jew living in Israel, married happily with 6 children. My family lives in the US and is not as observant as I am. My sister, we are only 2 children to my parents, is getting married on Shabbat. The ceremony itself is on Shabbat and the reception would be until after Shabbat ends. Would I be able to attend the ceremony or the reception if within walking distance on Shabbat? This has caused a lot of tension in my family since I keep Shabbat. I want to also honor my parents and not cause them pain that I am not at my sisters wedding. What is the right thing for me to do?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
A wedding on Shabbos is replete with all kinds of Shabbos violations in which an observant Jew may not participate in nor be present.
In your situation it would be best that you attend after Shabbos, if that is not possible then you should rent a flat nearby and attend only for a few minutes during Shabbos.
Wishing you much success.