Liberal Judaism

What is Judaism?

Judaism denotes the civilization of the Jewish people, their history and realities, their secular as well as sacred lives, their culture and social institutions of all types. Equally, Judaism stands for the Jewish religion. Whist many elements of the former are woven into the fabric that is Judaism, the religious element has been the constant that has ensured the continuity of the people.

The religious element of Judaism is itself far from being simple and homogeneous. However, seven strands might be recognised by all those who hold belief, and practice the variety of Jewish religious expressions, as being essential elements of Judaism:1. A doctrine concerning God, the universe and humanity.

2. A morality for the individual and society.

3. A regimen of rite, custom and ceremony.

4. A sacred literature.

5. A body of law.

6. Institutions through which the above find expression e.g. the synagogue.

7. The people, IsraelThe different approaches to the Jewish religion reflect the fact that the dominant form of Judaism remains that of a religious philosophy of inquiry, the search for meaning in life and central to that, what God requires of us during our short stay on earth. In this sense, Judaism is extremely unorthodox as it can never rest upon dogma. Liberal Judaism is one of the religious expressions of Judaism.