Our Jewish friends are wonderful story tellers and they do not mind making fun of themselves. Here are two samples:

During a service at an old synagogue in Eastern Europe, when the Shema prayer was said, half the congregregants stood up and half remained sitting. The half that was seated started yelling at those standing to sit down, and the ones standing yelled at the ones sitting to stand up.

The rabbi, educated as he was in the Law and commentaries, didn't know what to do. His congregation suggested that he consult a housebound 98-year-old man, who was one of the original founders of their temple. The rabbi hoped the elderly man could tell him what the actual temple tradition was, whether standing or sitting for this important prayer. So, he went to the nursing home with a representat…