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.
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.

It's too bad more Jews don't practise the faith. I saw very little of it growing up, other than lavish Bar Mitzvahs. One nice thing about Judaism is that it's respectful of other faiths and doesn't try to proslytize, but it's a rare Jew that practises the faith.

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

You don't have to get angry, I was just stating an observable fact. The limitations described by the OP are rare in the Western world.

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

Oh, I understand your point. And throwing in a "shalom" doesn't remedy your willingness to exclude this entire group of people because you don't want to cover on a Saturday.

I've worked with a lot of Orthodox Jews and we always managed to accommodate one another. The only complaints I ever heard were rare, and from those who basically resented Jews, period, and the "special privileges" they erroneously thought they were getting.

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Specializes in DOU.
You don't have to get angry, I was just stating an observable fact. The limitations described by the OP are rare in the Western world.

I'm not angry... I am just mystified that a religious person might be called "immoral" for trying to negotiate a compatible work schedule.

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I'm not angry... I am just mystified that a religious person might be called "immoral" for trying to negotiate a compatible work schedule.

Oh, I'm not mystified. Not at all.

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

I don't know who called it 'immoral' incidentally, that is a tangent I missed. I was merely stating that Christian groups tend to recognize that in this day and age many people need to work on Sunday to put food on the table. People in restaurant work, retail, etc. We live in a 24/7 society due to our fast pace, I suppose. That's why the concept of a strict Sabbath is impractical in a multicultural secular society. I do think the concept of a Sabbath is something sorely lacking in our current society.

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Agnus,

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.

I am aware that there is little similarity between these two religious traditions. It was not my point to make a comparison. Just a comment and observation that many strict traditions do make exceptions and perhaps yours might.

While I am on the subject I did not mean to suggest that you are not familiar enough with the teachings of your own tradition. I suspect you are right on with what you are saying.

We do hold different ethical values and I guess that is where the problem with my understanding comes in. I know you have directed me else where with any further questions, but May I ask for clarification of one more thing, as you see it? I am at the moment more interested in what you as a believer think about this rather than what an Rabbi might tell me. That is not to rule out talking to a Rabbi after this.

My question is this. You talk about life threating situations where you are permitted to act. What is your practice if you have a sick family member? Not in a necessairly life threatening situation. Perhaps they are sick or disabled at home. How do you deal with this.

Again. I mean this with the most respect. I am trying to understand.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
I'm not angry... I am just mystified that a religious person might be called "immoral" for trying to negotiate a compatible work schedule.

I never used that word, you'll have to ask the person who did.

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i guess i'm having trouble fathoming a teaching, that would take issue with those who minister to the sick and needy.

i would think that any God/all Gods would encourage human acts to those less fortunate.

if there are grey or updated teachings, then why not ascribe to the core values of the most generic meaning of Christianity?

leslie

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Leslie, are you suggesting that the OP explore Christianity? Because that is simply impossible.

I'm getting a little confused. Aren't you an Orthodox Jew? Or did you mean something else?

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Specializes in DOU.
I don't know who called it 'immoral' incidentally, that is a tangent I missed.

Sorry, it was Agnus, post #47.

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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.

As I said earlier, TM, I do not in any way think you are "wrong" for your beliefs or trying to stay within the restrictions of your belief. I just tried to point out another way of looking at it. As a Christian, if I have it way wrong, I apologize and will learn from this.

If I were your nurse manager (when you're licensed! ) I would have no problem with trying to help you observe the restrictions of your beliefs, but I just have a hard time understanding how any religious leader could see working on the Sabbath when there is no other feasible choice could be a sin and deny permission. I would never encourage you to go against your beliefs on the assumption that you would be forgiven later, unless there were an emergency.

Again, I am NOT offended by your question.

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