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Conservative
Judaism
Conservative Judaism: Statement of Beliefs and Principles
In 1988, the leadership council of
Conservative Judaism issued an official statement of belief, "Emet
Ve-Emunah: Statement of Principles of Conservative Judaism" (64
pages).
Emet Ve-Emunah "affirms belief in God and the legitimacy of
the multiple interpretations which Jews have given that belief
historically. It also avows belief in revelation, 'the uncovering of
an external source of truth emanating from God.' It describes three
varying theories of revelation within the Movement, ruling out,
however, relativism, on the one hand, and fundamentalism and
literalism, on the other. It supplies a number of reasons why Jewish
law is 'indispensable' within Judaism as the Conservative movement
understands it, and it describes its conception of the development
of Jewish law and its methods for making decisions within Jewish
law.
While the Commission
members rejoice in the existence and flourishing of the State of
Israel and 'encourage and cherish aliyah to Israel as a value, goal,
and mitzvah,' they also affirm that there are various centers to
Jewish life, not Israel alone, and that Israel and the Diaspora must
contribute to each other's growth.
Emet Ve-Emunah
acknowledges that there is a wide spectrum of opinion within the
Conservative movement with regard to the role of women in Jewish
ritual, but it expresses the conviction that 'justice and dignity
for each human being can be achieved within the framework of
Halachah.' The document's chapters on prayer, evil, and eschatology,
together with those on God and revelation, make clear that
Conservative Judaism is not just a specific approach to Jewish law
and Jewish study, but a form of Judaism with deeply grounded
theological beliefs-and, indeed, these theological sections have
been the occasion for much adult education on the substance of
Jewish belief." ["Conservative Judaism: Developments 1970-1990",
Encyclopedia Judaica]
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