Jewish History Essay Organizer
Question: Has the Reform movement changed its ideology or has it stayed the same over the last century (use the platforms of 1885, 1937 and 1999 to guide you).
Thesis: Over the past century, Reform Judaism has redefined what Judaism is by adapting its ideology and views on certain aspects of Jewish life in order to properly reflect the wants and needs of the community.
Point 3 - Reform Judaism rejects Halacha on diet, priestly purity and dress.
The Pittsburg Platform (1885) rejected Halacha regulating diet, priestly purity and dress. These laws were established in ancient times where people’s mental and spiritual states were extremely different. They obstruct the modern Jew rather than spiritually elevate them. Times have changed therefore the Reform Movement must change its rules in order to satisfy the community.
The Pittsburg Platform, stated that Jews no longer need to observe Kashrut. This makes practicing Judaism much easier than before which is exactly what the Reform movement wanted. They wanted to attract as many Jews as possible and by making the religion easier to follow, they can do so.
This is a enormous change. When the Pittsburg Platform stated that certain Rabbinic laws were
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It stated that Jewish people were not a nation, but a religious community. Since they were strictly a religious community, they were able to settle wherever they please. They were no longer a nation and did not have a connection to what was then, Palestine. The American Jews had already established a home and community in the USA, therefore they don't need a Jewish state. In order for Jews to acculturate into North American society, they must feel that they are home and not feel that their true home is in Israel. They wanted Reform Jews to think we are Americans first, Jews second. The Jewish community should also be dispersed around the world in order to shed light unto the other