Jewish Quarter - Diamond District

Did you know that tearing paper is considered a form of 'construction' or 'creation', which falls under one of the categories of work in the Jewish faith. And the Sabbath is a day of rest, during which one abstains from all forms of labor. Including tearing paper. And that also applies to toilet paper.

In order to meet hygienic needs without violating Sabbath rules, Orthodox Jews have come up with several solutions:

• Pre-torn toilet paper: Before the Sabbath begins, toilet paper is torn into usable pieces.
• Use of tissues: Some use tissues that are already available in loose sheets.
• Special Sabbath Toilet Paper: There are toilet paper rolls with perforated sheets that tear off easily without actively 'tearing'.

These adjustments allow devout Jews to observe the Sabbath rest without sacrificing hygiene.

Pascal Brackman