Shabbat Protocols

Shabbat is kind of a big deal in Jerusalem, and specifically in the Pardes community. Every week in the halls between classes you can hear people organizing meals and making plans for which service to attend. The options for services in Jerusalem are quite diverse so I take turns checking them out. One week I went to a shul where everyone was standing, using different prayer books and singing Carlebach tunes at the top of their lungs. Another week I attended services at the Reform synagogue near my house where I was grateful to be back in mixed seating. I've seen an orthodox shul with women leading Kabbalat Shabbat and a renewel service with guitars, drums and spontaneous dancing.

Each week after services you can see people walking to their Shabbat meal. Within the Pardes circle there are some protocols that I'm still trying to decipher:

1. Invitations. There are several issues in this category. Is it rude to invite two out of three roommates from a particular house? Must you invite significant others when creating your guest list? Can you extend an invite while at Pardes (and therfore likely within earshot of someone who isn't on your guest list and doesn't have a place to go)? When should you start inviting people- if you plan too far ahead your meal might gain enough steam via word of mouth that you'll be hosting half the community, and if you plan too late your intended guests might already have a place to go.

2. Kashrut. As most of these meals read: all of these meals are potluck style, Kashrut is always an issue. Anyone who clearly doesn't have a kosher kitchen gets assigned Challah, wine, store bought salads etc. Anyone who can cook is assigned side dishes or dessert. The host of course makes the main dish which also depends on whether the meal is meat or dairy. Since levels of Kashrut observance differ, it seems to me that there is a pretty strict don't ask, don't tell policy and only the strictest observers take precautions.

3. Start time. Timing is tricky. Many people set a start time of "a half hour after shul" thus providing time to arrive at the hosts house, and allowing the host some last minute prep time. As I mentioned before however, the service options are many in Jerusalem creating a staggered entrance. (This could all be resolved easily if people used their cell phones, but Shabbat observance is another point of protocol)

Once I get all of this stuff down pat, I might have to venture outside of Jerusalem for a Shabbat!