Marathi Bylaws of the Sha’are Raḥamim Synagogue of the Bene Israel Indian Community in Kiryat Gat, Israel

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Description

This 29-page mimeographed booklet is an internal publication for the members of the Sha’are Raḥamim synagogue in Kiryat Gat, Israel consisting of regulations in the Mahathi language. The synagogue is used by the small Bene Israel community originating in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Among the 39 bylaws are the following:

All prayers are to be conducted in Marathi.
If a member conducts himself contrary to the rules regarding proper comportment in the sanctuary, does anything against the interests of the sanctuary, or engages in activities that harm the sanctuary, the general assembly has the right to remove the member from the synagogue’s membership roll.
During the general assembly meeting, a member shall not speak more than twice on the same issue. If there is a need to speak a third time on the same topic, he shall request permission from the chair.