Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I would have to first know WHAT specifically they mean by that. All 3 major movements (plus Sephardic) all think they are the best. I don't want to start an unnecessary flame-war here. Which is exactly where this could go.
As a Conservative Jew, I politely disagree with both the Reform and the Orthodox. I personally think that the Reform Jews go too far. They cut away so much that I wouldn't be able to reconcile it with continued belief in the Bible at all. I myself would stop going to shul altogether. But if they find it fulfilling, that's up to them. Similarly, I think the Orthodox go too far in the other direction. They have so much certainty in not only the perfection of the texts, but also multiple generations of human rabbis that I can't always go along with.
From what I read in the Bible, Judaism requires a combination of being "good human beings" along with being a specific holy nation with a homeland we will return to one day. Reform Judaism cuts back or eliminates that second part of the equation. I can't agree with that. I also can't agree with some of the very liberal social positions of Reform Judaism.
I would have to first know WHAT specifically they mean by that. All 3 major movements (plus Sephardic) all think they are the best. I don't want to start an unnecessary flame-war here. Which is exactly where this could go.
As a Conservative Jew, I politely disagree with both the Reform and the Orthodox. I personally think that the Reform Jews go too far. They cut away so much that I wouldn't be able to reconcile it with continued belief in the Bible at all. I myself would stop going to shul altogether. But if they find it fulfilling, that's up to them. Similarly, I think the Orthodox go too far in the other direction. They have so much certainty in not only the perfection of the texts, but also multiple generations of human rabbis that I can't always go along with.
From what I read in the Bible, Judaism requires a combination of being "good human beings" along with being a specific holy nation with a homeland we will return to one day. Reform Judaism cuts back or eliminates that second part of the equation. I can't agree with that. I also can't agree with some of the very liberal social positions of Reform Judaism.
The phrase better Jew is not one we use to compare ourselves to others. It is one we use in regards to our own self. I seek to be a better Jew now than I was previously. Better for me is closer to Hashem, more mitzvot, more observant, improve middot (character traits). The intention is not to be better than other people because that is arrogant and boastful. The intention in being better is closer to Hashem and living a life of Torah.
A Jew is a Jew. No labels. We are one people.
If a Jew for whatever reason has not learned and seen and understood the deep beauty of Judaism and Torah then it is as if they have been kidnapped and raised with other ideas and values instead.
This is also not new. A key part of Judaism is to NOT succumb to secular values. Follow the laws of the land we live in, yes. But take on the values of the lands we are exled to, no. In Egypt when we were taken out, wasn't it something like 80% did not leave but had assimilated? Choosing secular values over Torah is a form of idolatry because it puts something ahead of or more important than G-d.
The wisdom and depth and beauty of living a kosher life of Torah is immense. It doesn't get any better than that.
Last edited by Tzaphkiel; 12-23-2018 at 06:40 PM..
The phrase better Jew is not one we use to compare ourselves to others. It is one we use in regards to our own self. I seek to be a better Jew now than I was previously. Better for me is closer to Hashem, more mitzvot, more observant, improve middot (character traits). The intention is not to be better than other people because that is arrogant and boastful. The intention in being better is closer to Hashem and living a life of Torah.
A Jew is a Jew. No labels. We are one people.
If a Jew for whatever reason has not learned and seen and understood the deep beauty of Judaism and Torah then it is as if they have been kidnapped and raised with other ideas and values instead.
This is also not new. A key part of Judaism is to NOT succumb to secular values. Follow the laws of the land we live in, yes. But take on the values of the lands we are exled to, no. In Egypt when we were taken out, wasn't it something like 80% did not leave but had assimilated?
The wisdom and depth and beauty of living a kosher life of Torah is immense. It doesn't get any better than that.
It's not a philosophical question that requires a megilla. Within the levels of adherence to Judaism, Should "Reform" become the modern 21st century version that would be the version south of being Modern Orthodox in the position instead of Conservative or even Masorti? Or is "Reform" Messianic Judaism w/o Jesus where anything goes similar to Christianity where nearly all the 613 mitzvot are(were) thrown out the window.
Doesn't answer the question. A better way for you to respond is for to discuss the time before you became a BT.
I belonged to reform and conservative shuls when I lived in my parents house. That prepared me and lead me to worshiping Jerry Garcia as my deity in my 20s. For me, it was all a life of emptiness until B’h, I married a woman in my late 20s who was interested in yiddishkite. Now I have 2 boys sitting and learning in Yeshiva, younger ones at home where my 7 year old old knows more about Torah than I did at 27. And B’h, my cup is full. I’m entirely unable to distinguish reform from conservative from my youth. They were equally meaningless to me, although I’ve learned in this forum that my experience isn’t necessary universal. Some take these non observant Jewish practices very seriously. One can always do teshuva.
Pretty funny question, but I like mine better: WHY would one respond to it?
Why is not a option. How is the only option for this thread.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
