lawyer touches head when drinking water

Why did the lawyer cover his head when he ate?

But the lawyer was likely making the ritual move because he is religiously observant. Rabbi Menchem Genack, CEO of the kosher division of the Orthodox Union, explained that since Schoen is an observant Jew, he must cover his head and say a blessing whenever he eats or drinks.

Why does David hold his head when he drinks water?

Instead, many who tuned in were wondering why David seemed to consistently hold the back of his head whenever he took a sip of water. As it turns out, Schoen's religion may be the reason why. Schoen, who is an Orthodox Jew, was likely holding his head for religious reasons.

Why is lawyer wearing a kippah on his head?

Others offered another suggestion, drawn from their own experience as regular kippah-wearers: Schoen could be displaying a reflex to keep his usually-there kippah from sliding off of his head. Schoen was not the only Jewish lawyer in the courtroom Tuesday.

Why does David Schoen cover his head when he drinks water?

Rabbi Menchem Genack, CEO of the kosher division of the Orthodox Union, explained that since Schoen is an observant Jew, he must cover his head and say a blessing whenever he eats or drinks. Former President Donald Trump’s attorney David Schoen is seen covering his head each time he takes a sip of water during the impeachment trial.

Why does Schoen cover his head?

Since he is not wearing a kippah, he therefore covers his head with his hand. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency concurred, asserting that Schoen likely covered his head because he elected not to wear a kippah during the proceedings and noting that Jewish law dictates covering one's head when saying the name of God.

Did David Schoen hold his head back?

This motherfucker David Schoen just had to hold his head to take a sip of water. It was like he was making sure his brain didn't fall out when he tilted his head back. Schoen's religion came up last week, when he requested the Senate suspend the trial during the Jewish Sabbath.

Does Mr. Schoen wear a kippah?

Since he is not wearing a kippah, he therefore covers his head with his hand," tweeted Daniel Goldman, former lead counsel for House Democrats in the first Trump impeachment trial. Mr. Schoen is an observant Jew who must cover his head when he takes a sip of water and quietly says a blessing.

Why does lawyer David Schoen hold his head while drinking water?

David Schoen, one of the president's defense attorneys, made headlines on the first day of the trial for reasons that had very little to do with the arguments he was making. Instead, many who tuned in were wondering why David seemed to consistently hold the back of his head whenever he took a sip of water.

Why wasn't David Schoen wearing a kippah or other head covering?

Most Orthodox Jews typically wear a head covering at all times, but David did not have a kippah (also known as a yarmulke) on during the impeachment trial. After the trial day was complete, he explained his reasoning during an interview with CNN.

Social media was very confused about David Schoen's behavior

Schoen came under scrutiny for his decision to represent Trump, but many also called attention to what they saw as this odd habit. Even some religious Jews seemed confused by Schoen's repeated touching of his head, as Jewish law only requires that a blessing be given before you take your first bite or sip.

Why does Schoen wear a kippa?

Schoen, an Orthodox Jew, often wears a kippa, a skullcap meant to show reverence for God. But the fact that Schoen didn’t don one in the Senate on Tuesday made some speculate that he reflexively touched his head because he usually has to hold his kippa on when he takes a drink. Others suggested that Schoen may have been saying a quick prayer ...

Why didn't David Schoen wear his kippah?

David Schoen, who represents the former president in his impeachment trial, told reporters that he didn’t wear his kippah to the Senate because he didn’t want to offend anyone or cause awkwardness. Skip to main content. Search Input.

Did Schoen don the skullcap?

For that reason, he said Schoen’s decision not to don the skullcap was unsurprising. Story continues below advertisement. “People who strive to live an Orthodox life and also engage in modern culture are constantly balancing the two,” Keyak said.

Do attorneys wear kippas?

Many attorneys remove their kippas before entering a court room, even if they observe the faith in other ways, Shemtov said. Some worry that a judge will think differently of them if they wear the kippa, while others are trying to avoid anything that might distract from the hearing’s topic.

Who taught his followers to ask tough questions?

Evangelist Ravi Zacharias taught his followers to ask tough questions — just not about his sexual conduct. Aaron Keyak, who directed Jewish engagement for President Biden’s campaign, said he interpreted Schoen’s action as more likely an instinctive movement as if to hold a kippa in place than part of a prayer ritual.

Did Lieberman wear a kippa?

There’s precedent for Jews choosing not to wear a kippa in Congress: Then-Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.) donned a kippa while attending his Orthodox synagogue but generally did not wear one on the Senate floor, according to a 2000 profile in the New York Times. He did not respond to an interview request Wednesday.

Who said head coverings have always been something of an issue in public or official settings?

Story continues below advertisement. “Head coverings have always been something of an issue in public or official settings,” said Rabbi Levi Shemtov, executive vice president of the Jewish outreach organization American Friends of Lubavitch. “Some people have worn them, and some have not.”. Advertisement.

Do Jews wear kippas?

In public courtrooms, in particular, some observant Jews fear that wearing a kippa could bring extra scrutiny from anti-Semitic jury members, judges, or in this case, members of the public. Plus, the Senate bans head coverings but carves out an explicit exception for religious requirements.

Who is the leader of the impeachment team?

Leading the team making the case for Trump’s impeachment was Jamie Raskin , a Maryland Democratic congressman and a constitutional scholar. Also on the team is Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island.

Do Jews say God's name?

Whenever observant Jews drink or eat, they typically recite a blessing that includes the name of God before and after doing so. Jewish law, known as halacha, stipulates that in order to say God’s name, men (and in some non-Orthodox opinions, women) should have their heads covered.

Who is the attorney for Trump's second impeachment?

The US Senate convened Tuesday for a historic first: former president Donald Trump’s second impeachment. David Schoen, one of Trump’s impeachment lawyers, already asked (and then withdrew his request) for Trump’s trial to pause for the Jewish day of rest.

Does it count as a blessing to cover your head?

Religious law only requires a blessing before one’s first bite (or sip) and after eating or drinking is completed — and using your own hand to cover your head doesn’t really count as a valid covering according to most Orthodox interpretations of halacha.

Did the House overturn the ban on head coverings?

The House, spurred on by Rep. Ilhan Omar and interfaith groups, overturned their 181 year ban on head coverings in 2019. Schoen wore a kippah heading into the Capitol building, but chose not to wear one on the floor. If avoiding stares was Schoen’s goal, he didn’t succeed.

Do Jews wear kippahs?

In public courtrooms in particular, some observant Jews fear that wearing a kippah could bring extra scrutiny from anti-Semitic jury members, judges, or in this case, members of the public. Plus, the Senate bans head coverings, but carves out an explicit exception for religious requirements.

Do Jews say God's name?

Whenever observant Jews drink or eat, they typically recite a blessing that includes the name of God before and after doing so. Jewish law, known as halacha, stipulates that in order to say God’s name, men (and in some opinions, women) should have their heads covered.

Who is the attorney for Trump's second impeachment?

The Senate convened Tuesday for a historic first: former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment. David Schoen, one of Trump’s impeachment lawyers, already asked (and then withdrew his request) for Trump’s trial to pause for the Jewish day of rest.

Who is the lawyer for Trump's impeachment?

Trump's impeachment lawyer David Schoen covers his head with his hand while drinking water, Feb. 9, 2021. (Screenshot from CNN live broadcast) Advertisement. (JTA) — What Donald Trump’s lawyer likely wanted: for America to spend this evening talking about how the former president was not responsible for the deadly Jan. 6 raid on the U.S. Capitol.