Shul Customs
A young scholar from New York was invited to become Rabbi in a small
old community in Chicago. On his very first Shabbat, a hot debate
erupted as to whether one should or should not stand during the reading
of the Ten Commandments.
The next day, the rabbi visited 98 year-old Mr. Katz in the nursing
home. "Mr. Katz, I'm asking you as the oldest member of the community,"
said the rabbi, "What is our synagogue's custom during the reading of
the Ten Commandments?"
"Why do you ask?" asked Mr. Katz.
"Yesterday we read the Ten Commandments. Some people stood, some people
sat. The ones standing started screaming at the ones sitting, telling
them to stand up. The ones sitting started screaming at the ones
standing, telling them to sit down... "
"That," said the old man, "is our custom."