Soc.Culture.Jewish Newsgroups Frequently Asked Questions and Answers URL: www.scjfaq.org/faq/18-03-04.html

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Question 18.3.4:
Reform's Position On...What is unacceptable practice?

As one might imagine, the emphasis on freedom and autonomy in Reform Judaism could lead one to an "anything goes" position. However, anything doesn't go. The Reform Responsa literature is full of examples of unacceptable practice/practices; here are a few:

• "Current medical fashions are irrelevant in this matter as we consider circumcision to be a religious rite, not a health measure. Unless ill health or serious medical problems prevent the circumcision of a male infant on the eighth day, he should be circumcised on that day. If such a child is not circumcised, he would nevertheless be considered a Jew [but] it would be incumbant upon such an individual to be circumcised later in life." [American Reform Responsa #54]

• "For us in the Jewish community anyone who claims that Jesus is their savior is no longer a Jew and is an apostate... Such individuals should not be accorded membership in the congregation or treated in any way which makes them appear as if they were affiliated with the Jewish community..." [Contemporary American Reform Responsa, #68]

• When asked if a Jewish lady could be a bridesmaid at a Christian wedding, the answer as "The young lady may attend as a bridesmaid but she may not kneel or do anything whicy may be considered as participation in a Christian worship service." [Contemporary American Reform Responsa, #168]

• Contemporary American Reform Responsa, #118 implies that headstones in a Jewish cemetary must not have Christian symbols.

• "Mind altering drugs... may not be used by Jews to induce a ``heightened sense of religious awareness'' or to seek a mystical experience." [Contemporary American Reform Responsa, #74]

However, just because an individual does something unacceptable or holds a belief different than the movement's recommendation does not, a priori, make them no longer a Reform Jew. As Rabbi Plaut wrote "Persons of varying shadings of belief or unbelief, practice or non-practice, may belong to UAHC congregations as individuals."

The FAQ is a collection of documents that is an attempt to answer questions that are continually asked on the soc.culture.jewish family of newsgroups. It was written by cooperating laypeople from the various Judaic movements. You should not make any assumption as to accuracy and/or authoritativeness of the answers provided herein. In all cases, it is always best to consult a competent authority--your local rabbi is a good place to start.

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