Principles of faith in Modern Judaism Jewish principles of faith

1 principles of faith in modern judaism

1.1 orthodox judaism
1.2 conservative judaism
1.3 reform judaism
1.4 reconstructionist judaism

principles of faith in modern judaism
orthodox judaism

orthodox judaism considers in direct continuity historical rabbinic judaism. therefore, above, accepts philosophic speculation , statements of dogma extent exist within, , compatible with, system of written , oral torah. matter of practice orthodox judaism lays stress on performance of actual commandments. dogma considered self-understood underpinning of practice of mitzvot.

owing this, there no 1 official statement of principles. rather, formulations accepted torah leaders considered have possible validity. 13 principles of maimonides have been cited adherents influential: printed in prayer books, , in many congregations hymn (yigdal) incorporating them sung on friday nights.

conservative judaism

conservative judaism developed in europe , united states in late 1800s, jews reacted changes brought enlightenment , emancipation. in many ways reaction seen excesses of reform movement. of movement s history, conservative judaism deliberately avoided publishing systematic explications of theology , belief; conscious attempt hold wide coalition. concern became non-issue after left-wing of movement seceded in 1968 form reconstructionist movement, , after right-wing seceded in 1985 form union traditional judaism.

in 1988, leadership council of conservative judaism issued official statement of belief, emet ve-emunah: statement of principles of conservative judaism . noted jew must hold beliefs. however, conservative rabbinate notes jewish community never developed 1 binding catechism. thus, emet ve-emunah affirms belief in god , in god s revelation of torah jews. however, affirms legitimacy of multiple interpretations of these issues. atheism, trinitarian views of god, , polytheism ruled out. forms of relativism, , of literalism , fundamentalism rejected. teaches jewish law both still valid , indispensable, holds more open , flexible view of how law has , should develop orthodox view.

reform judaism

reform judaism has had number of official platforms, in united states. first platform 1885 declaration of principles ( pittsburgh platform ) – adopted statement of meeting of reform rabbis across united states november 16 – 19, 1885.

the next platform – guiding principles of reform judaism ( columbus platform ) – published central conference of american rabbis (ccar) in 1937.

the ccar rewrote principles in 1976 reform judaism: centenary perspective , rewrote them again in 1999 s statement of principles reform judaism. while original drafts of 1999 statement called reform jews consider re-adopting traditional practices on voluntary basis, later drafts removed of these suggestions. final version similar 1976 statement.

according ccar, personal autonomy still has precedence on these platforms; lay people need not accept all, or any, of beliefs stated in these platforms. central conference of american rabbis (ccar) president rabbi simeon j. maslin wrote pamphlet reform judaism, entitled believe...what do... . states if attempt answer these 2 questions authoritatively reform jews, person s answers have false. why? because 1 of guiding principles of reform judaism autonomy of individual. reform jew has right decide whether subscribe particular belief or particular practice. reform judaism affirms fundamental principle of liberalism: individual approach body of mitzvot , minhagim in spirit of freedom , choice. traditionally israel started harut, commandment engraved upon tablets, became freedom. reform jew starts herut, freedom decide harut - engraved upon personal tablets of life. [bernard martin, ed., contemporary reform jewish thought, quadrangle books 1968.] in addition those, there 42 affirmations of liberal judaism in britain 1992, , older richtlinien zu einem programm für das liberale judentum (1912) in germany, others, stressing personal autonomy , ongoing revelation.

reconstructionist judaism

reconstructionist judaism american denomination has naturalist theology developed rabbi mordecai kaplan. theology variant of naturalism of john dewey, combined atheistic beliefs religious terminology in order construct religiously satisfying philosophy had lost faith in traditional religion. [see id. @ 385; see caplan @ p. 23, fn.62 ( majority of kaplan s views ... formulated before read dewey or [william] james. )] reconstructionism denies god either personal or supernatural. rather, god said sum of natural processes allow man become self-fulfilled. rabbi kaplan wrote believe in god means take granted man s destiny rise above brute , eliminate forms of violence , exploitation human society.

most reconstructionist jews reject theism, , instead define religious naturalists. these views have been criticized on grounds atheists, has been made palatable jews rewriting dictionary. significant minority of reconstructionists have refused accept kaplan s theology, , instead affirm theistic view of god.

as in reform judaism, reconstructionist judaism holds personal autonomy has precedence on jewish law , theology. not ask adherents hold particular beliefs, nor ask halakha accepted normative. in 1986, reconstructionist rabbinical association (rra) , federation of reconstructionist congregations (frc) passed official platform on reconstructionism (2 pages). not mandatory statement of principles, rather consensus of current beliefs. [frc newsletter, sept. 1986, pages d, e.] major points of platform state that:

judaism result of natural human development. there no such thing divine intervention.
judaism evolving religious civilization.
zionism , aliyah (immigration israel) encouraged.
the laity can make decisions, not rabbis.
the torah not inspired god; comes social , historical development of jewish people.
all classical views of god rejected. god redefined sum of natural powers or processes allows mankind gain self-fulfillment , moral improvement.
the idea god chose jewish people purpose, in way, morally untenable , because has such beliefs implies superiority of elect community , rejection of others . puts reconstructionist jews @ odds other jews, seems accuse other jews of being racist. jews outside of reconstructionist movement strenuously reject charge.

although resconstructionist judaism not require membership subscribe particular dogma, reconstructionist movement actively rejects or marginalizes beliefs held other branches of judaism, including many (if not all) of 13 principles. example, rabbi kaplan rejected traditional jewish understandings of messianism. god did not have ability suspend natural order , not send divine agent house of david bring miraculous redemption. rather, in keeping reconstructionist naturalist principles, kaplan beieved world perfected, result of combined efforts of humanity on generations. (id. @ 57) reconstructionism rejects 13th principle of resurrection of dead, kaplan believed belonged supernatural worldview rejected moderns. (id. @ 58.) thus, reconstructionist sabbath prayer book erases references messianic figure, , daily amidah replaces traditional blessing of reviving dead 1 blesses god in love remembers thy creatures unto life. (id. @ 57-59.)