Principles for Decision Making on Shabbat Policies

We are embarking on the process of decision making for Kol Tzedek Shabbat policies. Of course, we will get input from people as we go forward. For now, I wanted to share some Principles/Values we have outlined that will guide us in our decision-making.

KT Shabbat Study Group Decision Making Principles

Oneg Shabbat (delight)--
Cultivating opportunities for people to experience joy and thankfulness
Shabbat Shalom
Infusing our Shabbat practice with an atmosphere of peace and harmony
Menuha
Giving ourselves the opportunity to rest, to breathe, to appreciate life exactly as it is and isn’t
K’vod HaMesoret (Respect for tradition)
Respect for our sacred tradition; the tradition has a “vote but not a veto”
Inclusivity
Wanting an environment where people feel welcome, invited to bring their whole selves into community or prayer
Kehillah
Creating opportunities for people to gather in community
Diversity
Respecting the diversity in the room; creating an environment which to some degree can accommodate people with varying observance levels
Outreach
Meeting people “where they are” and helping them find deeper meaning in Jewish spirituality and peoplehood
Hiddur Mitzvah (beautification of the mitzvah)
Doing things in order to add beauty or depth to traditional mitzvoth
Sh’lom Bayit (Peace in the house)
Making compromises for the welfare of the “household” or community
Lifnim Mishoret HaDin
(Going above the letter of law)
Keeping in mind the spirit of Shabbat and reaching to bring that spirit in, even by doing additional customs or in contemporary terms, perhaps doing things that violate the letter of the law but keep the spirit of the law
Making Shabbat Different
Creating an environment that feels different than our workplace or daily life
Challenge
Challenging people to move out of their comfort zone, try on new practices, deepen their commitments
L’Shem Hinuch
“For educational purposes”—the principle that at times, the letter of law needs to bend in order to educate
Tircha DeTzibura
“A burden to the community”—we can and should take in the community’s needs and desires as we make decisions