The Blogs: When July 4 Coincides with Shabbat…

If ever Americans needed to celebrate July 4, this is the year. And if ever American Jews needed to observe July 4, this is absolutely the year. We are all being distracted and often enraged by attacks – or presumed attacks – on our patriotism, our integrity, and even our safety. Some of that is intentional, as a means of dividing us, frustrating us and making us feel powerless.

July 4 reminds us that we have the power to make miracles happen and that, as Americans, we have so much to be grateful for – and so much work left to do.

This commemoration is so rich in symbolism and ritual that it almost feels – dare I say – like a Jewish holiday. I once imagined how, were it in fact a festival ordained by the Torah and plotted out by the rabbis, Jewish legal sources would ordain its observance, especially when it coincides with Shabbat, as it does this year. Here is an updated version.

The following deliberations on America’s liberation are to be taken with the tongue well ensconced in-cheek:

So, with Independence Day coinciding with our day of Interdependence, Shabbat, I am sharing here, as a public service, some key halachic opinions from the archives. This is obviously a parody, but it authentically shows how the rabbis, ancient and modern, develop Jewish religious practices. This is how – if you’ll pardon the expression – the sausage is made.

I’ve done some research to see what Jewish practices are in order and came across a little-known rabbinic source related to “Ethics of the Fathers,” called “Ethics of the Uncles.” There I found the following, attributed to “Dod Sh’muel,” or “Sam, the Uncle.”

The relevant section is embedded in a chapter entitled, “DOD SH’MUEL’S TOP TEN LISTS.” WHEN JULY 4 COINCIDES WITH SHABBAT, THE FOLLOWING ARE ADDED TO REGULAR SABBATH PRACTICE:

If July 4 Coincides with Shabbat…

1) We begin the Shabbat with not 2, but 3 candles. The third is to be lit by remote control from a safe vantage point at least 100 feet away. (See the AI photo at the top of this essay. Do not try this at home.)

2) At the Sabbath meal, 2 hallahs are served, each must have apple pie filling. Some say peach. Others argue for strawberry. The Starbucker and Dunkiner Rebbes ordain “one may be apple, but the other must be pumpkin spice.” To which Rabbi Yossi said, “Pumpkin spice? Not in July, idiot!”

4) It is customary to sing Adon Olam to the tune of “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” This one is not only allowed, my congregation’s custom has been to utilize multiple American classic melodies to this prayer, which typically ends the service and has no specified liturgical melody. There are hundreds of known melodies for Adon Olam (Here are 34 of them).

5) When reciting the central prayer known as the Amida, instead of facing Jerusalem, which is the prevailing practice (and has been for centuries when Jews pray), we face Washington DC. Or not… depending on your political inclination. Or, to keep Washington close to your heart, fill a large bowl of water with green food coloring, place it before the ark and then you can symbolically face the Reflecting Pool. (See also my recent Substack comparing the desecrated facade of the Kennedy Center to the Western Wall).

6) When walking around with the Torah, it is customary for the cantor and rabbi to do a do-si-do with the president, singing “Turkey in the Straw,” all the while contemplating the great mystery as to whether the Jewish circle dance (hora) and American square dance can ever be compatible. Can we square that circle?

8) The popular Shabbat afternoon dish known as cholent, featuring simmering vegetables, beans and often chunks of meat, is pureed so that all the items blend together and then simmered in a melting pot, the very American term derived from Israel Zangwill’s very Jewish 1908 play The Melting-Pot.2 The stew is traditionally eaten with a hundred hot dogs – on Coney Island in less than five minutes, in Brighton Beach with a side of borscht – after which a nap is in order, in a room far away from everyone else.

9) NASCAR runs the “Shabbat 500.” Precisely at sundown, all the drivers get out of their cars and run for the finish line.

10) Finally, for one day of the year, Lubavitch Hasidim replace their furry streumels with patriotic top hats, and then go around to Jews imploring, “We want YOU.”