Traditionally

    During a service at the main synagogue of Budapest, when the "Shema" prayer was said, half the congregants stood up and half remained sitting.  The half that was seated started yelling at those standing to sit down, and the ones standing yelled at the ones sitting to stand up.
    The Rabbi, learned as he was in the law and commentaries, didn't know what to do.  His congregation suggested that he consult the previous Rebbe Mr. Abe 102 years old .The Rabbi hoped Reb Abe would be able to tell him what the actual temple tradition was, so he went to Abe's home with a representative of each faction of the congregation.
   The one whose followers stood during "Shema" said to Reb Abe, "Is the tradition to stand during this prayer?"
Reb Abe answered, "No, that is not the tradition."
The one whose followers sat said,"Then the tradition is to sit during "Shema"!"
Reb Abe answered, "No, that is not the tradition."
Then the rabbi said to Reb Abe, "But the congregants fight all the time, yelling at each other about whether they should sit or stand."
Reb Abe replied , "THAT is the tradition!"