Do The Practices At The Same Time During The Impeachment Trial, Donald Trump's Lawyer Attracts Public Attention

David Schoen while drinking water while holding the top of his head. (Twitter / @ Owillis)

JAKARTA - The United States Senate (US) held its first impeachment trial against former US President Donald Trump, Tuesday, February 9 local time. Apart from the votes related to whether the impeachment trial was continued or not, there were others that attracted attention.

This comes from David Schoen, the attorney who was part of Donald Trump's defense team during the impeachment trial. Not because his arguments in favor of Trump were broken in the vote that the impeachment supporters won.

However, it was Schoen's actions on the sidelines of reading his defense that became the spotlight of many people. What is meant is the moment when Schoen was seen several times drinking water from a bottle, with one hand placed on his head.

Many do not understand that what Trump's lawyer is doing is part of Jewish religious practice in everyday life. This is as explained by Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, a progressive Jewish group.

"This is a Jewish ritual, not strange behavior to be ridiculed," the group wrote on its Twitter account, referring to Schoen, who is an Orthodox Jew.

Eating and drinking are considered sacred acts in Jewish tradition, because it is believed that various blessings accompany eating and drinking. When blessings or prayers are recited, it is common for Orthodox Jewish men to cover their heads, usually with a yarmulke or kippah.

Schoen doesn't wear a yarmulke during his speech, so he seems to be observing the tradition by placing his hands on his head while drinking.

Rather than scoffing at Schoen's convictions, Bend the Arc urged people to hold lawyers accountable for his words while defending Donald Trump.

Please stop mocking David Schoen for engaging in Jewish ritual as an observant Orthodox Jew. Please continue calling him out for making a mockery of our democracy & the concept of public speaking. Our Jewish community rejects his attempts to defend Trump's violent incitement.

- Bend the Arc: Jewish Action (@jewishaction) February 9, 2021

"Please continue to call on him for mocking our democracy and the concept of public speaking. Our Jewish community rejects his efforts to defend Trump's violent incitement," the group wrote again.