RMPS - Int2/Higher - World Religions - Judaism - Education Scotland

THE MEANS
Attitudes of Reform and Orthodox Judaism
Originating in Germany in the early nineteenth century, Reform Judaism
is currently the largest Progressive (see section 1, p4) Jewish group in
the UK and is the second largest movement in British Jewry with a
national presence. It has its own synagogues and prayer book, and Beth
Din. Although recognised by Progressive authorities, the ordination of
Reform rabbis is not recognised by Orthodox authorities. Reform and
other non-Orthodox movements are larger in size than Orthodox
Judaism worldwide.
Reform Judaism’s shared beliefs with traditional Orthodox Judaism
include recognition that the Torah is the foundation for Jewish belief,
that human beings are created in the image of God and that Shabbat is a
day of rest that is different from the rest of the week. While it views the
Torah as being inspired by God, it considers that it was written down by
humans according to their understanding of God’s will. In doing so, it
views these man-made interpretations as being open to challenge and
revision, and subject to being outdated in parts.
Reform Judaism distinguishes between parts of Judaism that are unique
and have eternal significance from those that are temporary and relative.
The former include:
• the principle of Shabbat as a holy day that is different from other
weekdays
• the covenant with God
• the moral and spiritual demands
• the pursuit of justice
• the sanctity of life
• the coming of the Messianic Age.
The latter include:
• dropping the laws of Shabbat (see section 2, p15) that are considered
stifling to the delight or spirit of Shabbat
• permitting the blowing of the shofar when Rosh Hashanah falls on
Shabbat
• observing the major fast days only, namely Yom Kippur and Tishah
b’Av 3
• rejecting certain roles of the Messiah as regressive, e.g. the
restoration of sacrifices
• not subscribing to the 613 commandments.
70
3 Of the four fasts in the year, Yom Kippur and Tishah b’Av are the only full-day
fasts that begin at sunset and end at nightfall on the following day.
RMPS: WORLD RELIGIONS – JUDAISM (INT 2, H)
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