Shabbos/Religious Observances

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As I begin the applications process for nursing schools, I have one huuuuge concern - my religious obligations. I am not permitted to work/attend school, etc. from sunset Friday nights until an hour past sunset on Saturday nights because of the Jewish sabbath. I've heard that a lot of programs have 12hr clinicals on Saturdays...yikes! Has anyone "worked it out" with similar obligations?

Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
Actually, you can't turn on a light or burner because you can't start a fire.

People eat "cholent" on Shabbos because you can put it in a slow oven that stays on from start to finish. It's a big casserole with meat and I think beans.

Interesting. But, some of them can't turn an electric light on as well. Is that considered lighting a fire?

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Interesting. But, some of them can't turn an electric light on as well. Is that considered lighting a fire?

Yup.

Agnus, I still don't get your point. Orthodox Jewish doctors and nurses DO work on Shabbos. The issue is school.

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Interesting. But, some of them can't turn an electric light on as well. Is that considered lighting a fire?

In our day, turning on a light is a violation of the prohibition against kindling a fire on Shabbos.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

There are nursing jobs that basically are like 9-5 jobs, such as being an office nurse. Maybe she can find a devout Jewish doctor, there are a lot of Jewish doctors statistically speaking.

For instance, where I live there is a private practise headed by a German Baptist doctor. They are a sect much like Mennonites. The women wear a head-covering and they have a very strong Christian community. All the doctors in the practise are of similar beliefs, such as Baptist, they had a Mennonite, etc. They have some German Baptist nurses as well. I'll bet there are some Jewish doctors that have a practise like that.

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Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.
:eek::eek::eek:

they have a Christian Sabbath????

oy.

i am very sorry.

how do i find a Jewish one?

leslie

No apology necessary! ;) Yeh, basically one on sat one on sunday, your'e right, the intention is the same .. the rules are different, especially were the orthodox are concerned and that will require rabbinical counsel and individual self evaluation to determine what one will or will not compromise for their religious convictions,Shalom

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Please, understand I do not ask this in disrespect. Quite the opposite.

Who do you propose take care of the ill on Holy days? Some one has to. Why would you expect a Gentile to do it in your place?

If a strict observer of your tradition were ill on a Holy day do they expect to not be cared for? Let's just say for argument sake there were no Gentiles or non orthodox Jew around to care for the sick who would you have do this on a Holy day?

Have you discussed your choice of professions and this question with a Rabbi whom you respect? I think this is important enough to make an appointment to do so.

Yes, many employers and co workers will make an allowance. You may not find this true every where and accomodations are not always made without resentment.

It is not just to have to work on a favored day off simply because someone else has a religious conviction that does not permit them to work. It is kind of like forcing your religion on someone else. Because they must give up a Friday or Saturday off because you have a particular religious conviction that they do not share.

Seventh Day Adventist who also refrain from labor from Sunset Friday to sunset Saterday acknowledge there is certain "necessary" work that must be done no matter what the day. One of those things is caring for the sick.

Please, make an appointment to discuss this with your Rabbi before you take this step.

Agnus,

Thanks for your interest. In our American society in which less than one-half of one percent of citizens are Jewish, and dramatically less are strictly observant, the likelihood of no one else being available for work or to care for ill people is extremely minute. Of course, if ANYONE'S life was G-d forbid in danger, a Jewish person is obligated to do what he or she can to save it, regardless of the day. Our rules regarding Shabbos observance are strict and many, but they shape everything about our faith. There are countless Orthodox Jews who function in myriad capacities in our society and manage to make schedules work with their Jewish and non-Jewish co-workers. As I mentioned before, I am glad to fill in for my non-Jewish friends and co-workers when they have holidays or Sundays to celebrate. As a friend and contributing member of the workforce, of course I expect others to do the same for me. Orthodox Judaism bears little similarity to (lehavdil) Seventh-Day Adventist religion's observance of their Sabbath. Please do not attempt to justify their work on Saturdays with what Orthodox Jews observe. If you have further questions, feel free to contact a Chabad rabbi, they are always more than happy to answer these types of inquiries.

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Interesting. But, some of them can't turn an electric light on as well. Is that considered lighting a fire?

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/39_categories_of_activity_prohibited_on_Shabbat

on the right, click on 4.37 Igniting a fire

leslie

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Specializes in DOU.

Wow, to consider someone "immoral" because they want to observe a religious commandment is rather extreme. I doubt very much any Orthodox Jew would object to a religious Christian refusing to work on Sunday, and certainly wouldn't question their morality because of it.

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Yup.

Agnus, I still don't get your point. Orthodox Jewish doctors and nurses DO work on Shabbos. The issue is school.

I don' think I can remedy your lack of understand of my point. Sometimes this happens. Shalom

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
Wow, to consider someone "immoral" because they want to observe a religious commandment is rather extreme. I doubt very much any Orthodox Jew would object to a religious Christian refusing to work on Sunday, and certainly wouldn't question their morality because of it.

Christianity tends to be much more flexible than what the OP is describing. Very few sects would forbid a nurse to work on a Sunday.

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Wow, to consider someone "immoral" because they want to observe a religious commandment is rather extreme. I doubt very much any Orthodox Jew would object to a religious Christian refusing to work on Sunday, and certainly wouldn't question their morality because of it.

Well-put, Natania. I respect the religious customs of others, and acknowledge that even though they cannot necessarily be compared/equated/whatever in terms of days to work and not work and what can and cannot be done, etc, they are precious to the person who holds them. As a religious Jewess, my faith and observance makes me who I am - modest, respectful and kind. I am sure that that is the way people of other faiths feel about their religions, and I am behind them 150%. It's all about helping others and respecting their lifestyles.

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Specializes in DOU.
Christianity tends to be much more flexible than what the OP is describing. Very few sects would forbid a nurse to work on a Sunday.

So? For the few sects that WOULD forbid it, I am pretty sure no one would call them "immoral". Rather, they would probably be labeled "pious" or "devout".

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