What can the Jews do on the sabbath?

Answer 1

According to the Halakha any kind of work is forbidden during Shabbat. There are 39 categories of work mentioned in the Torah, so you can tell even with new technologies what is considered work.

For instance you cannot cook, but you can use an oven that has been left on to warm and serve hot food.

You cannot drive (even going to vacation).

You cannot lit fire.. etc etc

The only rule the goes against the work prohibitions during Shabbat is saving a life - you can do any kind of work to save lives.

So, you can basically pray, visit with friends and family, read a nice book, grab lunch, go on a walk, have sex, pray again, have sex, go to synagogue, eat dinner, and by then Shabbat is over.