Raphael Hirsch's 'The Dangers Of Updating Judaism'

“The Dangers of Updating Judaism” was written Samson Raphael Hirsch, a Jewish rabbi from Germany in the nineteenth century. The piece was “published in 1854 in Jeschurun, a periodical magazine founded and edited by Hirsch” (Hirsch 146). Hirsch fought toward resisting the movement of Reform Judaism. The movement began in the mid-nineteenth century, during Hirsch’s time, and essentially sought to update Judaism and it’s practices to better suit the modern intellectual and social spheres of the time (Ludwig 111). Reform Jews sought to eliminate the need for rituals such as dietary restrictions and gender roles. They viewed such aspects of the faith to be anachronistic and unnecessary to the greater message of the faith. Hirsch, being an Orthodox

It rejects the notion that Judaism is liberal and meant to adapt to the time and place in which it exists. Instead, the source argues that it is the duty of Jews to adapt their time and society to be congruent with the faith. Contrarily, as is apparent in “The Pittsburgh Platform”, Reform Jews view Judaism as “a progressive religion, ever striving to be in accord with the postulates of reason” (“The Pittsburgh Platform” 1885). Orthodox Jews, such as Hirsch, believe that reason must be in accordance with God’s word. Moreover, they view laws and rituals, such as dietary and dress regulations, to be essential to the Jewish identity and desire to serve as the people of God. Reform Jews, as is articulated in “The Pittsburgh Platform”, view these rituals and laws as out of date and irrelevant to the spiritual growth that the faith is meant to encompass. However, an interesting parallel between the beliefs of Orthodox and Reform Jews is that they both are dedicated to speaking out against oppression and emphasize acceptance and compassion to all. The general message of Judaism, in terms of faith, is present in both groups, but the cultural demands that help give Jews their identity are toned down—if not absent—with Reform Jews. The cause of this is articulated in “The Pittsburgh Platform” when it says “We consider ourselves no longer a nation, but a religious community” (“The Pittsburgh Platform” 1885). By denouncing their standing as a nation, which they are said to be in the Torah, Reform Jews essentially disregard the importance of their Jewish identity. Hirschel, like other Orthodox Jews, view identity and faith as one. In other words, one cannot exist without the other. Fragmentation caused by drastic differences in practice is nothing new in the realm of world religions. Christianity was subjected to reform centuries before Judaism, and parallels can be drawn between