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Principles of Conservative Judaism
by
Richard D. Bank
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- The Torah was authored by humans
- The Halakah is binding
- A middle ground is provided in services
- Positions vary between liberal & traditional
Like Reform Jews, Conservatives believe that the Torah was divinely inspired but authored by humans—that it does not come to us directly from God. Conservative Judaism parts with Reform in that it generally accepts the binding nature of Halakhah. However, Conservatives do agree that Halakhah is subject to change and that adaptations may be made to it based on the contemporary culture, so long as the Halakhah remains true to Judaism’s values.
It is probably in the area of the synagogue service that Conservative Judaism has made its most notable accomplishment in providing a distinct middle ground for Jews who are not satisfied with either the Orthodox or the Reform approach. Hebrew is the predominant language of the liturgy, but the native language of the worshippers is used as well. In Conservative congregations, men and women may sit together, and many Conservative congregations have choirs and even organs.
Being in the middle, Conservative Judaism’s positions vary between liberal and traditional. Since 1983, women have been accepted for training at the rabbinate. On the other hand, Conservative Judaism has reaffirmed matrilineal descent in determining who is a Jew. As for the individual, it is expected that Shabbat and dietary laws be observed, although many, if not most, Conservative Jews either do not adhere to these mitzvot or follow them only to a limited extent.
...from The Everything Judaism Book.
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