Hatboxes glossary: driving on the sabbath

Lighting a fire is among the 39 labors forbidden on the Sabbath, according to the Talmud (Tractate Shabbat 7:2), and since automobile engines burn fuel (among other reasons), one of the activities prohibited on the Sabbath is driving a car.

Orthodox Jews cleave closely to this prohibition (with exceptions; saving a human life trumps all other considerations), but non-Orthodox Jews rarely do.  For example, Reform Jews may consider driving to synagogue on the Sabbath to participate in the religious life of their community more important that adhering to a rule that may seem to isolate them.

In Hatboxes, Miriam tries to dissuade Nadine from driving home after their sabbath dinner, but Nadine is untroubled about being non-Orthodox.

Nadine and Miriam chat after Shabbos dinner

What religious precepts govern your day-to-day life?