Liberal Judaism
What is Liberal Judaism?
Liberal Judaism arose in early nineteenth
century Germany as an attempt to reconcile the basic principles
of Judaism with the Enlightenment values of rational thought
and scientific evidence. As the Jew emerged into Western society,
Liberal Judaism affirmed the possibility and desirability of
making compatible the practice of Judaism and a Jew’s
participation in modern society. Liberal Judaism’s main
departure from traditional Judaism concerns revelation. Liberal
Judaism believes that the Hebrew Scriptures including the Torah
are a human attempt to understand the Divine Will, and therefore
uses Scripture as the starting point for Jewish decision making,
conscious of the fallibility of scripture and of the value of
knowledge outside of Scripture.In the United Kingdom and the
Republic of Ireland, there are over thirty Liberal and Progressive
Jewish congregations, large and small.
All work together to uphold and spread their beliefs, combining
rabbinic and lay resources, through the national organisation,
Liberal Judaism.The organisation was founded in 1902 by men
and women committed to the ideal of a liberal philosophy. in
order to ensure the continuity of Jewish faith, tradition, practice
and ethics within a contemporary framework. They worked unsparingly
to reinstil Judaism in the hearts of Jews through services,
public meetings, sermons, writings and inspiring leadership.
The movement they founded, the Jewish Religious union, was later
renamed the Union of Liberal & Progressive Synagogues, now
known as Liberal Judaism.Today, we declare the basis of our
faith which has enabled us to be part of the proud, developing
and dynamic history of Judaism.
Liberal Judaism
is the growing edge of Judaism. It reverences Jewish tradition,
and seeks to preserve all that is good in the Judaism of the
past. But it lives in the present.It desires that Judaism shall be an active force for good
in the lives of Jewish individuals, families and communities
today, and that it shall make its contribution to the betterment
of human society.It confronts unflinchingly the challenges of our time, welcomes
gladly all advances in human knowledge, and responds constructively
to changing circumstances. It values truth above tradition,
sincerity above conformity, and human needs above legal technicalities.It is unafraid to engage in dialogue with other streams of
Judaism, or with other religions, or with secularism. It is
always ready to reconsider, modify and innovate.It is the Judaism of the past in process of becoming the Judaism
of the future.
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