Basics of Conservative Judaism
What are Jewish Beliefs, Origins, and Practices
Although Conservative Judaism is one of the newest movements of Judaism it is referred to outside America as Masorti Judaism, meaning in Hebrew “Traditional Judaism.”
Conservative Judaism has many original principles but was also birthed from a compromise between the two main movements of modern Judaism. Conservative Judaism, although not as old as other movements, has a rich and intricate history, and many intriguing practices and beliefs.
Origins of Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism was created in Europe during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and is one of the most recently established sects of Judaism today. The Conservative movement was formed in response to Reform Judaism’s complete dismissal of Halakha (Jewish laws and regulations) and abandonment of tradition as well as traditional Jewish orthodoxy’s view of the Torah descending directly from heaven and being timeless, static, and always right.
Basic Principles of Conservative Judaism
The two people who conceived the Conservative Judaism movement were Zachariah Frankel and Solomon Schechter. They created the conservative movement as a compromise between the opposite poles of Judaism (reform and orthodox) and a found a middle ground between the two.
Frankel’s maxim states that Conservative Judaism is “positive historic Judaism --"positive" in its acceptance of the tradition and all of the Halakhah, "historic" in that it conceived of these in dynamic rather than static terms.”
Practices and Ceremonies of Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism accepts the fact that Judaism will change with different times and settings but strongly values traditions and Torah law. Thus, Conservative Judaism wholly accepts all of the laws and regulations the Torah requires of Jewish people. However, unlike orthodoxy, Conservative Judaism follows the laws in more modern ways.
Traditionally Jews who identify with the conservative movement will keep kosher and most likely keep the Sabbath. Unlike orthodoxy, during the Sabbath, Conservative Jews may still use electricity to heat their house and light their rooms and most conservative women will not refuse to touch men outside of their family. Conservative prayer services have mixed gender seating.
In the 1980’s the Jewish Theological Seminary (the strongest organized conservative organization) in New York finally voted to allow woman to count as members of minions (ten person or more prayer group) but left the ultimate decision up to individual congregations. Shortly after, the Jewish Theological Seminary voted to allow women to be ordained as Rabbis.
Torah and Jewish teaching in Conservative Judaism
- Conservative Judaism accepts that the Torah was divinely inspired and that Jewish law is normative and binding.
- Conservative Judaism views Moses as the most important prophet in the books of the Torah. Moses is seen as a teacher, and a prophet but not a redeemer of the Jewish people.
- Moses Maimonides’ (or Rambam) teachings are highly respected and focused upon within Conservative Judaism.
Followers of Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism has just recently lost its standings as the largest American sect of Judaism as of the year 2000 (based on the National Jewish Population Survey). A total of 33% of synagogue affiliated Jews belong to a conservative congregation. Conservative Judaism has partially lost its lead to conservative Jews switching to Reform and Modern Orthodox synagogues. The largest reason is a new trend of conservative Jews remaining theologically and halakhically conservative but moving to synagogues that aren’t labeled under any movement.
The largest American member base of Conservative Judaism is comprised of the descendants of American Jews during the first half of the twentieth century from first and second generation eastern European Jewish immigrants. These people found the conservative movement appealing after they found Orthodox Judaism too restricting for their new lives in urban America, but Reform Judaism to foreign and unfamiliar to them.
Conservative Judaism has many practicing members who are always creating more and more rich traditions and history for the conservative movement and embracing the practices and beliefs of Conservative Judaism. Conservative Judaism will continue to grow and evolve as time changes while still holding the same principles and laws that have survived for thousands of years.
Readers may also enjoy The Basics of Reform Judaism
Sources:
- The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Solomon Schechter,Conservative Judaism
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