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There is a mitzva to dedicate Shabbat to sanctity and rest. Therefore, in addition to the work prohibition, we are also commanded to take a break from weekday activities and preserve the spirit of Shabbat: “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease” (Exodus 23:12). According to the Sages, this verse includes two directives: to preserve the spirit of Shabbat, and to put safeguards in place so people will not end up doing melakha. For example, courts may not convene, marriages or divorces may not take place, and loans may not be given or paid off on Shabbat. These activities induce tension rather than relaxation and detract from the Shabbat atmosphere. Additionally, there is concern they might lead to writing.
Commerce is prohibited on Shabbat. One who opens a store, buying and selling on Shabbat, as one does on weekdays, is negating a Torah commandment. This prohibition applies even when careful to avoid transgressing any of the 39 melakhot.
A person may not speak about weekday matters, such as business dealings (which affect one's financial situation) or melakhot planned for after Shabbat. However, thinking about them is permissible. It is also permissible to speak about activities prohibited on Shabbat if it is for the sake of a mitzva, such as building and operating a synagogue or religious school.
The Sages prohibited playing musical instruments on Shabbat and Yom Tov, due to the concern that a person might need to tune his or her instrument, or fix it should it break.
Listening to music or watching a film on any electronic device are also prohibited even if the device is turned on before Shabbat, because doing so violates the spirit of Shabbat.
