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Gerson: A diverse faith, Judaism takes on many dimensions

Posted: Saturday, July 05, 2003

   When I speak to Christian groups who are interested in learning about Judaism, and have never encountered a rabbi before, invariably I am asked three questions: 1) Can rabbis get married? 2) How do Jews see Jesus? 3) What is the difference between the various groups within the Jewish Faith?

   The answer to the first query is, simply, emphatically yes! The second question goes beyond the confines of space of this column. But, it is the third inquiry which provides the opportunity for some interesting religious history and some inspiration as well.

   The three main denominations in Judaism are Orthodox, Reform and Conservative. Where they differ emanates from one of the largest issues in the Bible, of interest to all religionists: What exactly happened at Mount Sinai, some three thousand years ago when Moses received the Torah, or the first five Biblical books?




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Orthodox Jews, the only Jewish denomination until the nineteenth century, believe the Torah is literally the word of God, written down by Moses. Because it is strictly God's word, one does not stray from the Law of the Torah in any way. And, Orthodox Jews follow this belief - and all-encompassing religious practice - to this very day.

   However, as Christians will well understand with their denominational variation, this is not the end of things.

   In the nineteenth century, in Germany, with Jews gaining citizenship and an active role in German society, Reform Judaism was born. Its great scholars took a different view of the Sinaitic event. The Torah was inspired by God. Some of it most likely was written down by Moses; but there is other authorship as well. As a humanly written document, careful adaptations could be made, enabling Jews to be more a part of their society. Services were in the vernacular, mixed seating took place, instrumental music was permitted in the synagogue, dietary laws became a matter of choice, along with other changes.

   At this time, German Jews brought Reform Judaism to the United States, where it was extremely popular in the Midwest and South. My own Congregation Children of Israel here in Athens is a product of this, formed in 1872 by a few hearty German Jews. It proudly retains this Reform Jewish identification and religious approach.

   Finally, Conservative Judaism, nurtured by East European Jews who migrated to the United States at the turn of the twentieth century, lies in the middle of Orthodox and Reform. It looks at the Sinai event as God's literal word, but has made gradual ritual changes through its own decision making.

   So, there is great diversity among Jews; but what is most important is how most thoughtful Jews see this heterogeneity. Rather than being a weakness, it is viewed as a great strength. Jews represent a very small people relative to the world's population, and by providing different well-thought out options for religiosity, outside of Orthodoxy, it better bodes for survival of the Faith into the future. Furthermore, while there are denominational theological differences, Jews are basically united on basic concerns: support of Israel, helping beleaguered Jews in other countries and religious education of the young.

   In one of our most important prayers, Jews address the ''God, of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob.'' The ancient rabbis interpreted this as teaching that even the great patriarchs saw God in different ways. So Jewish variation - Orthodox, Reform, Conservative - and some other smaller groups - was grounded in earliest Biblical days. For us Jews, it is actually one of our greatest blessings.





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