What are things Jews do NOT do on Shabbat?

Answer 1

1) We don't avail ourselves of all the devices and techniques that Man has developed to master and control Nature. A few examples are: fire, electronics, machinery. The day is dedicated to reconnecting with the One who created the universe, and to living in our part of the universe as it was created.

2) We don't conduct business or work our jobs. The day is dedicated to reminding ourselves that people don't own people, that we ultimately serve and report to God and not to other people, that our success and comfort are decided by God apart from all of our striving and our overtime, and that our success in living life involves other dimensions in addition to our net taxable income.

3) We don't occupy ourselves with the concerns that keep us on our toes during the ordinary days. A few examples are: watering/weeding the garden; washing the car; painting the boat; mowing/edging the lawn; repairing the window; cleaning the garage; doing a crossword puzzle; doing the laundry; practicing the piano; checking our email; cooking dinner; washing dishes.

The Shabbat is a different kind of day, not one of the ordinary ones. Jews who observe it are careful to avoid the habits of the ordinary days, because ... being the creatures of habit that we are ... we could so easily relax into the same frame of mind as on the ordinary days, and lose sight of the higher, more spiritual pursuits that are available to us on the Shabbat, and to which the Shabbat is actually dedicated.

Note that although the list of DON'Ts is always the more fascinating for non-Jews, it's important to try and understand that the essence of Shabbat is to DO the proper things. The DON'Ts are simply things that are inconsistent with that, and would spoil it.

Answer 2

There are two main aspects to Shabbat observance: what we do and what we don't do.
What we don't do: we're not permitted to work on the Shabbat (Exodus ch.20). This includes 39 categories of productive interaction with the world, such as planting, writing, kindling fire, etc. (Talmud, Shabbat 73b).

• Link: More about Shabbat-observance
  

What we do: candles are lit, customarily by the lady of the household, around 20 minutes before sunset on Friday afternoon. We then attend synagogue for the Friday afternoon prayer (mincha), the kabbalat Shabbat (ushering in of the Shabbat), and the Shabbat evening prayer (maariv), consecutively.
On Shabbat morning, we again attend synagogue. The services are longer than on weekdays and include prayers as well as reading the weekly Torah-portion.

There's often a kiddush (refreshments) afterwards, and congregants then have a chance to schmooze (to talk). Towards the late afternoon, there's another (short) service (Shabbat mincha).

After Friday night services and on Shabbat morning after services, we come home, often with guests, make kiddush (blessing over wine), and have a leisurely multi-course Shabbat meal including singing and words of Torah. Customarily, that week's Torah-reading (parsha) will be a topic of conversation; and the children of the family will be asked to speak of what they've learned in school.

• Link: The Shabbat meals
  

After that, Shabbat is a quiet time: no phones, radio or TV (etc.), just schmoozing, taking walks, visiting friends, reading, learning Torah, playing Board Games, etc.

Husband and wife, in particular, finally have a chance to be together after a hectic week.