Washington: Former US president Donald Trump?s lawyer in the upcoming Senate impeachment trial, who is an Orthodox Jew, has asked for the proceedings to be paused from Friday evening due to Shabbat, the New York Times reported.

Sabbath refers to a day of religious observance and abstinence from work, usually kept by the members of the Jewish community from Friday evening to Saturday evening, and by most members of the Christian community on Sunday.
In a letter obtained by The New York Times, Schoen asked that the trial be suspended if it was not finished by the beginning of the Sabbath at 5:24 pm on Friday and that it not reconvene until Sunday. According to the New York Times, the request has complicated the timeframe for the proceedings.

"I apologize for the inconvenience my request that impeachment proceedings not be conducted during the Jewish Sabbath undoubtedly will cause other people involved in the proceedings...?  
Schumer's spokesperson has said an allowance would be made for Schoen but did not elaborate on how.
"We respect their request and of course, will accommodate it," said the spokesman, Justin Goodman. "Conversations with the relevant parties about the structure of the trial continue."
It was also reported that Senators in both parties have been urging a speedy trial, with Democrats eager to advance Biden's agenda, including passing a sweeping Covid-19 relief package and confirming his Cabinet nominees.
Last week, the House of Representatives delivered the article of impeachment against Trump, accusing him of inciting an insurrection at the US Capitol building on January 6 to stop Congress from verifying President Joe Biden's win in the 2020 election. The impeachment trial arguments will begin on February 9.

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