By Morris Malakoff, JTNews Correspondent
Most Jews know and observe some, but not all, of the five activities forbidden on Yom Kippur.
Not ingesting food or drink for 25 hours appears to be a near-universal practice. Abstinence and not washing seem to be well understood. But two practices have slipped into practical obscurity in the lives of many Jews: one is the prohibition on wearing lotions. The other concerns the materials used in the manufacture of people’s shoes. The shoes are the focus of the “Sneak into Shul” campaign being put forth by Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum of Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation.
“While the tradition of not wearing leather shoes on Yom Kippur is a part of life in an Orthodox home or community, it seems to be less so in Conservative, Reform or Reconstructionist ones,” Rabbi Rosenbaum said. “There are a variety of reasons for that, particularly the belief that it is something mainly observed by extremely religious or very pious Jews.”
But Rosenbaum points out that not wearing leather on Yom Kippur is actually an ancient practice with valid reasons that make it relevant today.
“It is a beautiful custom in its meaning that has been in Talmudic law for 5,000 years,” he said. “People are returning to spiritual practices and want to feel they are reconnecting with things they long ago lost touch with, reviving interest in practices like this one.”
“There are a number of reasons to not wear leather that day,” he continued. “One is for humility. It is traditional. Moses approached the burning bush with his leather shoes removed. It humbles us.”
In ancient times, and even today, leather was seen as a luxury item, something not associated with a day meant for atonement.
According to Rosenbaum, who years ago began the “Sneak into Shul” effort at a congregation in Massachusetts, “leather shoes were considered by our ancestors a sign of luxury and comfort. Judaism does not want us to avoid comfort most of the time. Yet life of too much ease dulls the edges of our conscience. Periodically, God asks us to deliberately forgo comfort, to sharpen us up, raise our awareness, and focus our attention. Yom Kippur is such a time.”
The practice also has an element of sensitivity, added Rabbi Rosenbaum.
“This is a day that we are not to practice violence and to look for compassion in life,” he said. “But to get the leather that would be used to make shoes would mean killing one of God’s creatures.”
To educate people and promote the practice, the “Sneak into Shul” program gives the reasoning behind spending the day with one’s feet outside the everyday wingtips, business heels and even many athletic shoes popular with youth while also giving pointers on successfully getting everyone in the family involved.
While the program promotes the wearing of canvas sneakers to shul on Yom Kippur, Rosenbaum says that any non-leather piece of footwear will do.
“It could be rubber or synthetic — any color — just not leather,” he said. “That means being aware that many athletic shoes have leather as part of their construction. That is what makes it easy to recommend canvas shoes.”
Making a special trip to buy the shoes can be a learning experience for the family, according to instructions on the Herzl-Ner Tamid Web site, www.h-nt.org.
“Going to the store together as a family and explaining why these sneakers are so special is a wonderful way to impress upon our children the concept of tzaar baalei chaim, sensitivity to the feeling of animals,” says the site.
Those who pledge to Herzl-Ner Tamid with proper foot attire will be rewarded with a keychain shaped like a canvas sneaker with the slogan “Sneak into shul this Yom Kippur.”
While encouraging non-leather footwear, Rosenbaum says that it is not a call to take extreme measures.
“Yes, a person could go barefoot, but we also encourage use of good judgment,” he said. “We want people to be true to the spirit of this simple gesture on this holiest of days.”
As for the fear of looking disrespectful or underdressed at services, Rosenbaum says not to worry. According to “Sneak into Shul” materials, forgoing leather is a mitzvah, and a sign of special respect for God.