Congregation Sh'ma Yisrael

Shabbat Etiquitte

 | 

Location, Dates, and Times of Shabbat Services

Congregation Shema Yisrael welcomes anyone who wants to join us to worship the Almighty and give glory to His Son, Yeshua HaMashiach on the Shabbat. For those who are new to worshiping on the Shabbat, there are a few pieces of information that might help you know what to expect at our services.

Clothing

Many believe that to honor the Almighty and the Shabbat, that they should wear special or "dress" clothes on the Shabbat. While this is desirable, it should not be a barrier to attending, especially for those whose resources are limited. We only ask that you dress modestly in clean, serviceable clothing to show reverance to the Almighty on this day of worship.

Some of the men wear a tallit gadol (large prayer shawl). If you own one, you are encouraged to wear it for the duration of the service. If you do not have a hebraic background and tradition, you will be unlikely to own a tallit or kippah (yarmulke, a traditional head covering worn by observant Jewish men). This is not a barrier to attending Shabbat services. Some women wear a scarf or other head covering during worship however this is not a requirement.

Cell Phones

Although it isn't clothing, most people carry a cell phone as commonly as they wear socks. We ask for the duration of our services, that you turn off your cell phone or at the very minimum, set it to vibrate. If your cell phone does vibrate and you must accept the call, quietly leave your seat and move to another room or go outside to take the call. We are deeply grateful for your respect of the worship of your fellow believers.

Food for Snacks

Different members will be bringing in snacks to be consumed during the adult discussion on a rotational basis. Although these food items will not often contain a meat product, our congregation does keep Leviticus 11 "kosher style", so we do not consume meat products such as pork or shellfish. If you have any questions about this practice, please feel free to Contact Us.

Length of the Service

We meet from about 9 a.m. until about 12:30 p.m. depending on whether we have had sufficient people to conduct a Torah reading and depending on the length of the teaching discussion. You are free to enjoy the entire Shabbat service with us or, if you desire, you are welcome to join us at the Torah reading or teaching portions.

Location

We currently meet in Meridian, Idaho in a one-storey house on Locust Grove. To find the address and a map, go to our Worship Location page.

Donations and Finances

We make our postal address available on the Contact Us page on this website should you wish to mail us a check. We also have a small offering box available if you are lead to give.

The Practicalities of Life in the Diaspora

We understand that none of us can keep the Shabbat perfectly. People who attend our congregation come from all over the Treasure Valley and beyond so we are all obliged to drive on the Shabbat. While it is best to prepare all foods for snacks to be before sunset on Friday, some members do not always have the resources to do so each Shabbat. Some people have jobs that obligate them to work at least on some Shabbats and even after they ask, their employers will not grant them the Shabbat off. Our congregation is not in the business of judging how others observe the Shabbat. While we ask for your respect during our time together, we live in the same world as you do and the Almighty is aware of all our circumstances. One day, the whole world will observe the Shabbat and it will be a universal day of rest. Until then, we observe Shabbat to the best of our ability, always striving to be more obedient to Him and His Torah.