the work referred to
is anything that was used in the construction of the temple in jerusalem. since it was to be a place of worship, even its construction had to be carried out following strict rules as to WHEN work could be done (after all you can't build it on a day you're supposed to be worshipping right?)

soooo ... among the many things (i believe the list has over 600 actions) writing and making permanent marks on paper is not permissible. ah yes, you may ask, what about pencil? still not allowed, it's not just to do with the actuality of things but how they are perceived, eg: a bag of prawn flavoured crisps, while not containing anything non kosher, are strictly considered not allowed, since consumption of the crisps may be observed by someone else to be going against the laws of keeping kosher since you're not even supposed to entertain the thought of this action.

so back to the book - there's nothing that says you can't do THIS to keep score in scrabble. i too did this in my youth.

anyway, there's your explanation fella.

*now somewhat disillusioned and agnosticising jew*
(zenmeban thinks the weather could be better, Wed 25 Mar 2009, 5:06, 2 replies)

Seeing as this temple was built thousands of years ago,
are you still allowed to, say, drive cars and use chainsaws?
( The Coast Of Yemen, Wed 25 Mar 2009, 8:08, closed)

Maybe.
Driving a car is using transport, and using a chainsaw is working with wood. I have never read the old testament, but depending on how you interpret it, they could easily be forbidden.
(Potty Jag har smör i min rumpspringa, Wed 25 Mar 2009, 8:42, closed)

I know
I was just being silly.
( The Coast Of Yemen, Wed 25 Mar 2009, 10:36, closed)

cars and chainsaws are out
because they involve igniting a power source fellas. you werent allowed to light or extinguish stuff, so for example using lekky or turning your car on (or off!) counts as "bad".

this goes as far as leaving lights on for the duration of the sabbath (and other holy days) or using timers (somehow theyre allowed, dont ask me im not practicing or really that much in the know) - and the use of a metal sheet on the cooker so some areas stay hotter than others for cooking - phenomenal waste of gas / electricity in my book.
(zenmeban thinks the weather could be better, Thu 26 Mar 2009, 7:03, closed)

Anyone
who cannot see that this is fucking insane... will probably forever be outside my understanding.
*head-desk*
(tweebianmonkey Should be known as Widget, Wed 25 Mar 2009, 15:36, closed)