Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism is a current heirs of Progressive Judaism emerged in Germany in the Age of Enlightenment , in the wake of the Haskalah initiated by Moses Mendelssohn. In the nineteenth century , in a historical context of moving towards the emancipation of Jews , the tensions between modern society and lifestyle of traditional Jewish communities became more acute than before. Various currents of thought that were born then, encouraging Jews to embrace modernity, invited to mingle with the outside society by various degrees of acculturation. The Jdische Reform-Genossenschaft (unions Reformed Jewish) from Frankfurt and Berlin were the first to receive official status. One of the figureheads of the current reform was Samuel Holdheim.
Summary |
The Reform movement consisted of various currents advocating radical reforms enough in theology and Jewish practice. Based on historical analysis and Jewish Studies (Wissenshaft of Judentums) initiated by Leopold Zunz ( 1794 - 1886 ), they denied the Torah and the Talmud every value of God's word untouchable, and judged many observances halakhic binding as useless , unfounded and outdated. Some reformers even proposed the abandonment of kashrut , the Sabbath and circumcision. The liturgy was simple: we use the prayer book (siddur) in German, services were curtailed and enriched a sermon and a musical accompaniment.
These changes were justified by a vision of Hegelian history that made it a revelation on, replacing the traditional view of a revelation already accomplished. The Jews were no longer a people in exile until his own hello folded in on itself, but a community presents to the world, whose mission was to proclaim monotheism. The idea of rebuilding the temple of Jerusalem and regain the sacrifice was abandoned, and prayers for the restoration of a clean state. The Reform movement in its early days was anti- Zionist and advocated exclusive national allegiance to the country of residence.
These reforms were demonstrating a need for religious renewal, but also a desire to stand out less from the rest of society, certain aspects of offering a superficial similarity with Protestantism : new suit of rabbis , names of places of worship (" Synagogue " changed to "temple"), proposed a rite of confirmation for teenagers.
The EU reformed Berlin was the most radical, but all supporters of the progressive movement does not want change also pushed. Meetings were held in rabbinical Brunswick in 1844 , to Frankfurt in 1845 and Breslau in 1846. Unanimity was not reached and in 1854 , Zacharias Frankel ( 1801 - 1875 ), Director of the Seminary of Breslau, founded the Masorti movement called "conservative", but less radical Progressive Unions reformed. Subsequently, the Reform movement also returned some of its most extreme positions.
Implementation
In the mid- nineteenth century reform movement took root under the name of Reform Judaism in the United States where he has very many members (over a third of practitioners reported) and in Great Britain (liberal or reform) and the Netherlands.
A majority of reformed communities are grouped in the World Union of Progressive Judaism (World Union for Progressive Judaism), founded in London in 1926, with headquarters in Jerusalem. The WUPJ claims about 1.5 million members in forty countries.
United States
Although born in Germany, Reform Judaism is now a movement to American predominance, as it would in fact mainstream.
"The founding principles of American Reform movement, described in the Pittsburgh Platform of 1885 , affirmed a commitment monotheistic, but rejected many ritual practices Europe
Born in Europe, specifically Germany in the nineteenth century, Reform Judaism is now much less influential than the United States.
Reform Judaism in France is better known by the name of Judaism , but only a few congregations. It is a bit more influential in Britain.
In 2006 there was the ordination of three rabbis in Germany, left college Abraham Geiger in Potsdam , a liberal. These are the first rabbis ordained in this country since the Nazis.
Israel
In Israel, the Reformers (the Conservatives) have long had no weight.
Under the influence of American immigration, communities exist today, whose business is growing.
They bring together over 30,000 people (Protestants and conservatives together).
Tensions with the Orthodox (and even more with the ultra-Orthodox ) are sometimes important.
Principles and values of Reform Judaism
- the people of Israel was elected , and must be seen as the driving force of humanity according to the prophecy of Isaiah : "I have made you a light unto the nations". " The chosen people is on a mission to all human beings, actively practicing tzedakah across the company and working for the redemption of the world (tikkun olam) , which will bring the messianic era. Reform Judaism does not believe in a personal Messiah.
- The Hebrew Bible and the Talmud are foundational texts, but they are divinely inspired, they are drafting human, and practice critical reading is allowed.
- The history of Judaism shows an evolution of the tradition over time and the Halacha (Jewish law) must be adapted to the norms and values of the time, which means, in the twenty-first century, taking into account of reason and of ethics today, as well as freedom of individual conscience. It follows that if the value spirtuelle and moral behind the mitzvot (commandments) remain fundamental, the ritual is not always because the ritual is a means and not an end in itself. So everyone chooses its practice and belief. However, while leaving wide latitude to believers in the practical details of the ritual, the contemporary Reform movement stresses the importance of ceremonies marking the Jewish life which had been intended to abolish the old radical reform movements: Shabbat , Jewish holidays , liturgical use of Hebrew , rites of passage.
These rites, however, still differ from those of Orthodox Judaism :- The Kosher does not change dishes and should not lead to the isolation of practicing Jews.
- The liturgy has always parallel to the Hebrew, many passages in the language, and deleted the passages considered in conflict with modern life, such as the blessing "Who did not give me a woman. "
Orthodox model of considerable distinction, the prayer services reformers make use of musical instruments and singers to lead the congregation. - Reform Judaism is egalitarian, having abolished the separation of men and women during services. Women can be part of a minyan. The rites of passage (except circumcision) are the same for both sexes. It is not uncommon that women occupy the post of rabbi , wear the tallit and tefillin , traditionally reserved for men, or are required to read the Torah reading.
- Reform Judaism generally does not accept intermarriage, but greatly facilitates the conversion of the future spouse after a religious teaching that the Jewish spouse must also follow. For the U.S. , some Reform rabbis perform marriages mixed if the couple promised to lead a Jewish life and raise their children in this religion, and accept non-Jewish spouses as members of the synagogue , or even as some owners functions during the services.
The watch (divorce under Jewish law) is given an equal basis: the woman and man both sign the certificate, and is granted once the civil divorce was recorded, while Orthodox Judaism requires the repudiation of Women with a note he wrote. Reform movements have also provided legal provisions for women to get the watch. - The Reform movement generally accepts the principle of double lineage non-exclusive, considering Jews only children whose father is Jewish and who has received a Jewish education, while for the Orthodox religious affiliation is strictly a function of the mother.
- Conversion requests are received provided that the applicant should show sincerity and follow a comprehensive religious education about two years.
- The Reform movement, originally advocating full membership of the German nation and the rejection of Zionism , has reconsidered its position after the Second World War and the Holocaust. Although it does not actively promoting the immigration to Israel , he assists those who wish to do so. It supports the peace process.
See also
References
- a , b , c , d and e " Reforming Reform "by MICHAL LANDO, Jerusalem Post , September 30, 2007.
Bibliography
- Response to Modernity - A History of the Reform Movement in Judaism, (Michael A. Meyer), Wayne State University Press, 1988 ISBN 0-8143-2555-6
- Redefining Judaism in an Age of Emancipation - Comparative Perspectives on Samuel Holdheim (1806-1860), (edited by Christian Wiese), ed. Brill, Leiden-Boston, 2007, ISBN 978-90-04-15265-6
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