Download Reconstructionist Judaism

Posting ID: 119850
Religious Studies, Other
Year 2
Summary
1. Pick one of the contemporary branches of Judaism or Islam and write a summary that:
(a) identifies its origin
(b) compares and contrasts the branch with its mainline tradition.
No files attached.
Bid Credits: 8
Deadline: March 14, 2007, 2:57 pm
1. Pick one of the contemporary branches of Judaism or Islam and write a summary that: (a) identifies
its origin, and (b) compares and contrasts the branch with its mainline tradition.
Let’s choose one contemporary branch of Judaism, mainly Reconstructionism Judaism and compare and contrast it
with traditional Judaism (referred to as Orthodox Judaism).
Reconstructionist Judaism
Reconstructionist Judaism is a progressive, contemporary approach to Jewish life that integrates a deep respect for
traditional Judaism with the insights and ideas of contemporary social, intellectual and spiritual life.
1. Origin
The founder of the reconstructionist movement, Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan, launched the movement in the
1920's with the creation of a reconstructionist magazine and his book, Judaism as a Civilization: Toward a
Reconstruction of American Jewish Life. It was the insight of Rabbi Kaplan that Judaism could do well by
incorporating the American ideals of equality and democracy. Theological perspectives that flourished in
traditional hierarchical societies needed to be reconstructed to speak in a society where authority derived from the
people and where one's religious or ethnic identity was not, in principle, a barrier to full economic and political
participation. In other word, Kaplan incorporated Humanistic values and ideals and argued that Judaism needs to
evolve and change from generation to generation.
2. Further description of Reconstructionist Judaism compared to traditional Orthodox Judaism
Similar to the traditional Judaism, Kaplan's beliefs endorsed traditional Jewish customs and practices, but the
reasoning behind them changed from the Lord's creation to Sancta, a concept that rituals are made holy due to the
unity and community of the people performing them, as opposed to the traditional Jewish view that customs are
mandatory due to God's command.
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Kaplan saw Judaism not as a religion, but as a civilization, characterized by beliefs and practices, as well
as language, culture, literature, ethics, art, history, social organization, symbols, and customs.
Unlike traditional Orthodox Judaism, Kaplan promoted the notion of a synagogue-center that offered religious
prayer services as well as study programs, drama, dance, song, sports and exercise. This contrasts with Orthodox
Judaism that viewed the synagogue as a place to worship and pray to God. In contrast, Kaplan encouraged
democracy in the synagogue community and advocated voluntary membership, elected leadership, and
respect for the religious opinions of individuals. This is in sharp contrast to the rigid dogma of traditional
Judaism that believed that the revelation from God to Moses at Sinai remained virtually unchanged from generation
to generation. (Yahweh).
In contrast to the “top-down” (God reveals truths) approach to Judaism of traditional Orthodox Judaism,
Reconstructionism is a "bottom-up" approach to Judaism. It begins with the experiences of the Jewish people. It
speaks less of revelation and more of discovery. It emphasizes connection, opportunity and responsibility over
commandment. Each generation of Jews has subtly reshaped the faith and traditions of the Jewish people.
Reconstructionist Jews seek to nurture this evolution, and consider it the power that allows Judaism to continue as
a dynamic tradition in every age.
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Reconstructionist Jews understand Judaism primarily as a spiritual path, the means by which the search for
ultimate meaning in life is conducted. God is the source of meaning, the power within that urges us toward
generosity, responsibility, concern and self-fulfillment. God is found when we look for meaning in the world and
work to realize the goals of morality and justice. This again contrasts with the God of the traditional Judaism, who
is the creator and the Messiah.
Reconstructionist Jews believe the Jewish people share historical memory and destiny, a commitment to the
Hebrew language and the land of Israel and are heirs to a rich legacy of thought, laughter and tears that continues
to grow in our day. This is somewhat similar, but traditional Judaism is God focused and not person focused.
Reconstructionist Jews work towards a shared vision of Jewish peoplehood amongst a wide diversity of Jewish
religious ideology and practice. Traditional Judaism believes that their truth is the only truth revealed from God to
Moses at Sinai, which is still relevant today and forever.
In contrast to traditional Orthodox Judaism, Reconstructionists diverge from definitions of Judaism that see God as
choosing Israel from among other nations, initiating the covenant and revealing the law. They believe it is the
Jewish people who choose to live in a context of covenant, through which tradition becomes holy. They believe in
an historic mission, to witness the divine presence throughout the world, and especially to testify that every human
life is sacred, created in the divine image. Thus, less attention is given to God and more to individual choice
(Humanistic ideals) in Reconstructionist Judaism than in traditional Orthodox Judaism.
Reconstructionists are thus religious humanists. This contrasts with traditional Judaism, who sees God as the
author of all religious tradition. That is, Recontructionists instead believe in the human authorship of all religious
traditions, including their own, and they realize that no tradition has a monopoly on religious truth.
Reconstructionists believe that all peoples are called to build a world of justice and compassion, and we welcome
dialogue with persons of good will in all traditions. Source:
http://judaism.about.com/library/3_intro/level1/bl_denom_recon.htm
Thus, a Reconstructionist Jewish has strong commitments both to tradition and to the search for contemporary
meaning. Reconstructionists encourage all Jews to enhance their own lives by reclaiming our shared heritage and
becoming active participants in the building of the Jewish future. Traditional or Orthodox Judaism has about it a
seriousness and level of devotion that are truly admirable. The Reconstructionists seek to retain that seriousness.
Unlike Orthodoxy, however, Reconstructionism does not view Judaism as a total and immutable revelation from
God to Moses at Sinai that is essentially unchanged through all generations. In contrast, Reconstructionist Judaism
sees Judaism as the ever-evolving product of history, an ongoing attempt to forge a society based on holy values.
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/reconstruction.html
See http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/reconstruction.html for comparisons between
Reconstructionist Judaism and other branches of Judaism (e.g., Constructionist or Reform Judaism) (attached for
convenience).
In contrast to traditional Orthodox Judaism, Reconstructionists encourage Jews to give honest consideration to a
wider range of traditional practice. They believe that Judaism is more than ethical monotheism, which contrasts
with traditional (Orthodox) Judaism. Thus, to the Reconstructionists, Judaism is more than ethical monotheism,
which is the traditional Orthodox Judaism view of God as personal, good, holy, etc. (click
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/mono.html for a full description of the traditional Orthodox
Judaism monotheistic view of God, which contrasts with Reconstructionists). Instead of the traditional Orthodox
Judaism belief, Judaism is the historic, unique and most satisfying way by which the Jewish people can find
ongoing meaning in the great moments in our history and the special moments in our individual lives for the
Reconstructionists. Through Judaism, Reconstructionists dedicate themselves to universal spiritual values that
transcend any one individual, society or nation, as opposed to a total and immutable revelation from God to Moses
at Sinai that is essentially unchanged through all generations.
These comparisons are not exhaustive, but seem touch on many of the main points of similarity and differences
between Orthodox Judaism and Reconstructionist Judaism.
Also see the attached article for other considerations and comparisons.
FINAL COMMENTS I HOPE THIS HELPS AND TAKE CARE.
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