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Post by Tara on Feb 15, 2005 14:00:32 GMT -5
What is Reform Judaism? Throughout history, Jews have remained firmly rooted in Jewish tradition, even as we learned much from our encounters with other cultures. Nevertheless, since its earliest days, Reform Judaism has asserted that a Judaism frozen in time is an heirloom, not a living fountain. The great contribution of Reform Judaism is that it has enabled the Jewish people to introduce innovation while preserving tradition, to embrace diversity while asserting commonality, to affirm beliefs without rejecting those who doubt, and to bring faith to sacred texts without sacrificing critical scholarship. Reform Judaism affirms the central tenets of Judaism - God, Torah and Israel - even as it acknowledges the diversity of Reform Jewish beliefs and practices. We believe that all human beings are created in the image of God, and that we are God’s partners in improving the world. Tikkun olam — repairing the world — is a hallmark of Reform Judaism as we strive to bring peace, freedom, and justice to all people. Reform Jews accept the Torah as the foundation of Jewish life containing God’s ongoing revelation to our people and the record of our people’s ongoing relationship with God. We see the Torah as God inspired, a living document that enables us to confront the timeless and timely challenges of our everyday lives. In addition to our belief that Judaism must change and adapt to the needs of the day to survive and our firm commitment to Tikkun Olam, the following principles distinguish Reform Jews from other streams of Judaism in North America. * Reform Jews are committed to the principle of inclusion, not exclusion. Since 1978 the Reform Movement has been reaching out to Jews-by-choice and interfaith families, encouraging them to embrace Judaism. Reform Jews consider children to be Jewish if they are the child of a Jewish father or mother, so long as the child is raised as a Jew. * Reform Jews are committed to the absolute equality of women in all areas of Jewish life. We were the first movement to ordain women rabbis, invest women cantors, and elect women presidents of our synagogues. * Reform Jews are also committed to the full participation of gays and lesbians in synagogue life as well as society at large. (info from Reform Judaism.org)
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Shalom
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Hagbah: Raising of Torah. 'And this is the Torah which Moshe placed before the children of Israel'
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Post by Shalom on Aug 30, 2005 7:22:57 GMT -5
Tara, Another aspect of the Reform Movement is political. In the 1800's Jews in Europe sought to end anti-semitism. Their logic went something like this: The Gentiles hate us because we stick to ourselves, we only buy from each other, we don't invest in local society, we yearn to return to Israel. So let us become involved in the local community. Let us do commerce with everyone, and let us forget about Israel. We will become German, French Polish etc. of the Jewish faith. Just like there are German, French, Polish etc. of the Catholic faith, or the Llutheran faith etc...
So the Reform movement dropped Hebrew (for a while), even held service on Sundays rather than Saturdays (for a while). Jews became doctors, lawyers and served their local Gentile community rather then just their Jewish communities.
Then along came the depression in Europe and Jews once again became targets. Where we were once criticized for being aloof from the world, we were now being criticized for "owning the banks' as it where. The end result was the holocaust.
There are some Orthodox Jews who would say that the Holocaust was due in part because Reform Jews sought to 'water down' their covenant relationship with G-d. That might be a bit far fetched, but it does bear consideration (my opinion).
The Reform Movement, on the whole, is once again returning to the traditions of Judaism. This is particularly true with the Gen-X Jews.
Shalom
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Post by Tara on Aug 30, 2005 8:52:19 GMT -5
What do you mean by "Gen-X"?
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Shalom
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Post by Shalom on Aug 30, 2005 9:02:00 GMT -5
Gen-X: The generation after the Baby Boomers (1946-1964).
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Post by Tara on Aug 30, 2005 9:03:57 GMT -5
Okay. Thanks.
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Post by dianaholberg on Aug 30, 2005 9:55:23 GMT -5
I didn't know it ended 1964... I've always been told I was part of "Gen X"...
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Shalom
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Hagbah: Raising of Torah. 'And this is the Torah which Moshe placed before the children of Israel'
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Post by Shalom on Aug 30, 2005 10:20:37 GMT -5
My daughter was born in 1969 and is part of Gen-X (she is the one who introduced the term to me a few years ago). Before I posted my previous answer, I did a Google Search on the term Gen-X, just to make sure I was giving correct information.
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Post by dianaholberg on Aug 30, 2005 10:44:38 GMT -5
In this case, I'm not sure there's anything definitive. I looked around too, and saw the range you posted as well as 1964-1975, 1961-1981... That last looks way too wide to me. I can't imagine anyone born in 1981 would have a perspective on things even close to one born in 1961...
But we digress...
The Catholic Church has (very slowly) been undergoing its own reform from the overextension of the reforms of Vatican II. The term I'm hearing most often is "renewal". The priest sex scandals are viewed by many (including me) as due in part to a "watering down" of doctrine and tradition. All that to say, the pendulum of reform seems to swing the same... if on a compressed scope and schedule. ;D
What are the practical implications of a return to traditional Judaism? In other words, what effect will it have, or more accurately, what effect is it believed to bring about?
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Shalom
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Hagbah: Raising of Torah. 'And this is the Torah which Moshe placed before the children of Israel'
Posts: 132
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Post by Shalom on Aug 30, 2005 11:29:30 GMT -5
What are the practical implications of a return to traditional Judaism? In other words, what effect will it have, or more accurately, what effect is it believed to bring about? Practical implications would be Reform Jews becoming more observant to Torah. This would mean stricter observance of Shabbat, dietary laws and hopefully an increase in 'social responsibility and action' (we call that Tikkun Olam, which means "Repairing the Word"). Tikkun Olam is what Jews believe is coupled tightly with Torah observance. We believe we were called not just to be a conduit for G-d to the world, but to work with Him in repairing it. Its a very "hands on" approach. What is expected from all this? On the whole, Jews consider 'doing the right thing' for its own sake. We don't have the idea of "gaining merit for the next life" - so I'd say the expectation would be a better life, here and now, for those who endeavor to live the life G-d wants us to live (i.e. Torah), and a better life for those who might benefit from positive social action. Ultimately, the hope would be blessings for all humanity. Finally, there is the pendelum affect - go too far left field and you loose your identity. The Gen-X'rs seem to want to get back a bit to the right. I've seen an increase in "Jewish Pride" over the past 20 years. Prior to that many Jews wanted to hide their Jewishness and wanted to "blend in". Hope I answered your question. If there were other Jews here, you would certainly get a different story. As we say "2 Jews = 3 opinions" Shalom
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Post by freebird on Aug 30, 2005 14:38:54 GMT -5
Hello:
Been hearing a lot about Kabbalah? Would that be part of the reform movement?
Freebird
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Shalom
Guide
Hagbah: Raising of Torah. 'And this is the Torah which Moshe placed before the children of Israel'
Posts: 132
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Post by Shalom on Aug 30, 2005 16:37:55 GMT -5
Freebird,
The Reform Movement's initial goal was to bring Judaism into modern times and divorce Jews away from ancient traditions. Kabbalah preceeds the Reform Movment by many centuries. So, the answer is NO - Kabbalah is not a product of the Reform movement.
What has been touted as Kabbalah, in the media - thanks mainly to Madonna (Esther, as she want's to be called even) is a bastardization of Kabbalah. I hope that word didn't offend, but I wanted to express my frustation.
The situation is made worse because some Jews are taking advantage of Esther (the artist formerly known as Madonna). These Jews seem to have lost their brains! What with the selling of Kabbalah Water and Red Strings for protection? Where do they come up with such kakameyme ideas? But people buy - so there is THE clue!
I and many other Jews would say to her "Stop already with the digging in our garden. You have your own roots! Go dig there!."
I can't wait until Madonna goes off to find some other religious tradition to 're-invent". But for now, we are left with the damage she has brought to Kabbalah.
Shalom
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Post by dianaholberg on Aug 30, 2005 17:58:04 GMT -5
LOL, Shalom... ;D
Please forgive me if it takes me some time to process this... but I thought you posted elsewhere that one of the signs of Messiah is a return to Torah observance under his direction? So does the Reform movement see this prelimary return to observance as a preparation for Messiah, or do they anticipate his coming as part of the movement, or...? How do the two fit together, if at all?
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Post by freebird on Aug 30, 2005 18:43:12 GMT -5
Shalom:
Come on now, the kabbalah must go deeper than just your judgement of Madonna. She is as believer but so what. She is just one person.What i have heard about Kabbalah is that it is the mystical message of Judaism. Your thoughts on that?
Freebird
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Shalom
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Post by Shalom on Aug 30, 2005 19:58:54 GMT -5
LOL, Shalom... ;D Please forgive me if it takes me some time to process this... but I thought you posted elsewhere that one of the signs of Messiah is a return to Torah observance under his direction? So does the Reform movement see this prelimary return to observance as a preparation for Messiah, or do they anticipate his coming as part of the movement, or...? How do the two fit together, if at all? "Reform Judaism" accepts the possibility of a "Messianic Era" brought about by mankind - not an individual who enforces peace. And quite frankly, one will not hear much about Messiah in Reform circles. This is quite different than what Christians expect - and it is not what conservative/orthodox Jews expect either. The ultra orthodox (hassidic - men in black) are out on the street, persuading Jews to perform a Mitzvot (commandment) - this they believe WILL usher in Messiah who they believe, like me, is a real individual - not just an era. To sum it up: Jews have differing opinions regarding the Messianic age. And for me, it is ok that we don't all agree. Shalom
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Shalom
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Hagbah: Raising of Torah. 'And this is the Torah which Moshe placed before the children of Israel'
Posts: 132
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Post by Shalom on Aug 30, 2005 20:06:00 GMT -5
Shalom: Come on now, the kabbalah must go deeper than just your judgement of Madonna. She is as believer but so what. She is just one person.What i have heard about Kabbalah is that it is the mystical message of Judaism. Your thoughts on that? Freebird Kabbalah is indeed much deeper than what Madonna and her followers are promoting. Unfortunately, as I said earlier, a few Jews in Hollywood are supporting her and are equally wrong. Kabbalah is the "mystical" side of Judaism. It is not something one can just read about from a book on their own. It takes time to fully understand, and should be done under the direction of someone well versed in the subject. Traditionally, Kabbalah was said to be reserved only for men over the age of 40. To study it earlier than that would lead to insanity. Now, I don't necessarily believe that. But I do know that my understanding of Kabbalah now at 55 is much deeper than when I was younger (and no I didn't go insane - I don't think Shalom
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