the fire is kept burning?

[Eway]

"In traditional Judaic culture, the new mother is cared for entirely by women, the fire is kept burning, even on the Sabbath when all work normally ceases for strict Jews."

Why does it talk about fire? Is it implying that they'd keep cooking even when all work has to cease?

[Mister Micawber]

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I need more context (or a Jewish upbringing), but I suppose it means that the traditional hearth fire (for cooking or heating or whatever) is guarded against being extinguished. The fire keeps burning, but no work on/with it is necessarily performed.
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[Anglika]

"In traditional Judaic culture, the new mother is cared for entirely by women, the fire is kept burning, even on the Sabbath when all work normally ceases for strict Jews."

Why does it talk about fire? Is it implying that they'd keep cooking even when all work has to cease?

In strict Orthodox Jewish homes, no form of labour may be done from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. This will include putting fuel on a fire. Hence the importance of the exception for the benefit of the new mother.

A strict Orthodox Jew will not even switch on electric light in these hours.