Being sworn in

[Madam Mossfern]

The Bible issue.
On Wednesday, Im being sworn in as Mayor of my town.
Usually they provide a King James version of the Christian Bible, but of course I can bring a Chumash. My question is...do Jews swear on bibles? Is this a bit disingenuous? The person swearing me in this time is also Jewish, so he wont be perplexed if I "affirm" instead of "swear"....but to I need a book at all? Is that proscribed?

[marybourg]

1. I would say that if you feel uncomfortable swearing, affirm. And

Congratulations!

[Behind the Aegis]

2. Awesome!

Congrats. I think you can affirm. Really wanna freak them out, swear on the US Constitution! :evilgrin:

[rockymountaindem]

3. Congratulations!

I've always thought that in a situation like that, you could crack open the KJV to the first page of the New Testament, turn the book around and put your hand just on the side containing the Old Testament and get the job done that way. But, if I were you, I'd bring my own book or swear on a copy of the Constitution.

Good luck!

[Madam Mossfern]

4. I stopped by the local Chabad center

and picked up a less weildly version of the Chumash than the one I have at home. The Rabbi was thrilled for me and confirmed that 'we don't swear.' Affirming is good-that's what he did when he was in court (no- I didn't ask the details) He said I don't need a bible at all, but for the sake of appearances, I will have the smaller Chumash there, lest the good folk of this small town think that I'm GODLESS!!!!!! Heavens!

It seems that taking oaths is a very big thing in Judaism, and that's why there is the cancellation of oaths on Yom Kippur with Kol Nidre.

But here's another question....Kol Nidre is to annul oaths to God. This oath that I'm taking is to people-right? So....hmmmmm..... I'm confusing myself even further. The oath to people that I'm taking...I think...does it have more weight if I put my hand on a bible?

[question everything]

5. First, congratulations. I just found this thread

second... why not remember that you swore to... separate State and Church... er, State and Synagogue?

I think that an oath is an oath, regardless of whether you use a prop..

Again, congratulations.

[Meshuga]

6. You are taking the oath of office

For your town/city. Yom Kippur deals with personal issues.

Mazal tov!