Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

HoneyBadger

(2,297 posts)
1. Since when did Jews become monolithic?
Wed Feb 15, 2017, 10:05 PM
Feb 2017

There are many factions, the old school being Israel based, and new school settling on the Upper East Side. Anti semetism has traditionally meant being anti old school or anti Zionist. But American reform Jews have attempted to redefine, along which much of Judaism....I believe that is where "reform" comes into play. Note the last sentence.


Reform Judaism emphasizes the ethical facets of the faith as its central attribute, superseding the ceremonial ones. Reform thinkers often cited the Prophets' condemnations of ceremonial acts, lacking true intention and performed by the morally corrupt, as testimony that rites have no inherent quality. Geiger centered his philosophy on the Prophets' teachings (He named his ideology "Prophetic Judaism" already in 1838), regarding morality and ethics as the stable core of a religion in which ritual observance transformed radically through the ages. However, practices were seen as a means to elation and a link to the heritage of the past, and Reform generally argued that rituals should be maintained, discarded or modified based on whether they served these higher purposes. This stance allowed a great variety of practice both in the past and the present. In "Classical" times, personal observance was reduced to little beyond nothing. The postwar "New Reform" lent renewed importance to practical, regular action as a means to engage congregants, abandoning the sanitized forms of the "Classical".

Another key aspect of Reform doctrine is the personal autonomy of each adherent, who may formulate his own understanding and expression of his religiosity. Reform is unique among all denominations in placing the individual as the authorized interpreter of Judaism.

Since when did Jews become monolithic? HoneyBadger Feb 2017 #1
There's the whole wiping out of Jews thing TlalocW Feb 2017 #2
ah, yes... thanks for the reminder. TygrBright Feb 2017 #3
Interesting read. Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 #4
Very good points, thank you. TygrBright Feb 2017 #5
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Hate Jews, Love Israel: T...»Reply #1