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Top Document: soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Reform Judaism (10/12) Previous Document: Question 18.3.3: Reform's Position On...What is acceptable practice? Next Document: Question 18.3.5: Reform's Position On...The necessity of belief in G-d? See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge
Answer:
As one might imagine, the emphasis on freedom and autonomy in Reform
Judaism could lead one to an "anything goes" position. However,
anything doesn't go. The Reform Responsa literature is full of
examples of unacceptable practice/practices; here are a few:
* "Current medical fashions are irrelevant in this matter as we
consider circumcision to be a religious rite, not a health
measure. Unless ill health or serious medical problems prevent the
circumcision of a male infant on the eighth day, he should be
circumcised on that day. If such a child is not circumcised, he
would nevertheless be considered a Jew [but] it would be incumbant
upon such an individual to be circumcised later in life."
[[5]American Reform Responsa #54]
* "For us in the Jewish community anyone who claims that Jesus is
their savior is no longer a Jew and is an apostate... Such
individuals should not be accorded membership in the congregation
or treated in any way which makes them appear as if they were
affiliated with the Jewish community..." [[6]Contemporary American
Reform Responsa, #68]
* When asked if a Jewish lady could be a bridesmaid at a Christian
wedding, the answer as "The young lady may attend as a bridesmaid
but she may not kneel or do anything whicy may be considered as
participation in a Christian worship service." [[7]Contemporary
American Reform Responsa, #168]
* [8]Contemporary American Reform Responsa, #118 implies that
headstones in a Jewish cemetary must not have Christian symbols.
* "Mind altering drugs... may not be used by Jews to induce a
``heightened sense of religious awareness'' or to seek a mystical
experience." [[9]Contemporary American Reform Responsa, #74]
However, just because an individual does something unacceptable or
holds a belief different than the movement's recommendation does not,
a priori, make them no longer a Reform Jew. As Rabbi Plaut wrote
"Persons of varying shadings of belief or unbelief, practice or
non-practice, may belong to UAHC congregations as individuals."
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Last Update March 27 2014 @ 02:11 PM
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