Reform Judaism taken to task
Eva Ellsworth from Men's News Daily had on her blog this honest and tragic account of her Reform judaisim experience:
..Reform temples emphasize the charity aspect of Judaism, but neglect the personal responsibility aspect of the religion. Some people are impoverished because they are too ill or disabled to work. Others are impoverished because they failed to act in ways that would improve their circumstances. Even the emphasis on charity has changed from the individual’s duty to give to the less fortunate to the need for government to do so. I am not a Biblical scholar, so I must have missed the part that said it is the government’s job to provide for us. Reform Judaism has become more of a “social justice” movement than a religion. Far more attention is paid to issues such as affordable housing, health care for the uninsured, etc. than is paid to anything in the Torah....
During Rosh Hashanah morning services, the temple’s other Rabbi spoke about John McCain’s proposed amendment that would restrict interrogation techniques. The rabbi referred to this as the “Anti torture” amendment and urged all members of the congregation to sign copies, (available in the lobby), of a letter urging our congressional representative to vote for the amendment when it is introduced in the House. That went beyond a religious leader expressing his political views in relation to his interpretation of religion. This was a specific call to action. It seems to cross the line as much as telling a religion’s followers whom to vote for in an election. It implied that those who do not act accordingly are going against G-d’s wishes. If that is the case, are those of us who wish to read the amendment prior to forming an opinion displeasing G-d?
The real disappointment was having what should have been a somber, profoundly spiritual service turned into a series of political lectures..
Well said.
Of course if instead of being a "Social Justice" group it were about authentic jewish traditons and practices, it wouldn't have " Reform" in front of it's name. It be orthodox.
..Reform temples emphasize the charity aspect of Judaism, but neglect the personal responsibility aspect of the religion. Some people are impoverished because they are too ill or disabled to work. Others are impoverished because they failed to act in ways that would improve their circumstances. Even the emphasis on charity has changed from the individual’s duty to give to the less fortunate to the need for government to do so. I am not a Biblical scholar, so I must have missed the part that said it is the government’s job to provide for us. Reform Judaism has become more of a “social justice” movement than a religion. Far more attention is paid to issues such as affordable housing, health care for the uninsured, etc. than is paid to anything in the Torah....
During Rosh Hashanah morning services, the temple’s other Rabbi spoke about John McCain’s proposed amendment that would restrict interrogation techniques. The rabbi referred to this as the “Anti torture” amendment and urged all members of the congregation to sign copies, (available in the lobby), of a letter urging our congressional representative to vote for the amendment when it is introduced in the House. That went beyond a religious leader expressing his political views in relation to his interpretation of religion. This was a specific call to action. It seems to cross the line as much as telling a religion’s followers whom to vote for in an election. It implied that those who do not act accordingly are going against G-d’s wishes. If that is the case, are those of us who wish to read the amendment prior to forming an opinion displeasing G-d?
The real disappointment was having what should have been a somber, profoundly spiritual service turned into a series of political lectures..
Well said.
Of course if instead of being a "Social Justice" group it were about authentic jewish traditons and practices, it wouldn't have " Reform" in front of it's name. It be orthodox.
posted by Yeshiva Orthodoxy
at 2:20 PM
3 Comments:
I'd appreciate knowing how many Reform temples she visited to be able to come to her sweeping conclusions. My rabbi would not do anything of the kind nor does this type of thing happen in our temple.
I am not saying it doesn't happen. Reform congregations are no more cookie cutter congregations than Orthodox ones are.
That's what I am saying.
I am not disparaging your well meaning and sincere "Rabbi".
I do believe of the unwillingness for Reform "Rabbis" to sermonize on the sins that will make their congregants squirm.The sin of sex outside of marriage, marrying out,etc.
He "has to" cater to his audiance.
When you write "there are many..",what percentage?
Ms. Ellsworth is not Jewish. She attends a local synagogue because she has Jewish friends, but her family is Christian. She only has experience with one Temple so her article is not representative.
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