they are going the way of the dinosours why should we listen to a ppl who knew better then the rabbis wen they them selves now relise that thier grandparents orthadoxy was the only way to keep a jewish identity

They should find other word. "Progressive" is a dirty word around the world. Everywhere. "Progressive=Muslems, according to Obama and Khalidi. Change to something Jewish, like reformists, reconstructualists.

Reform and Conservative "temples " are closing everywhere property being sold off most dont even hold regular Sabbath services anymore as no one comes. "Cathedral" size "Temples" built to hold two thousand barely have 20 or 30 in a small side chapel and they want to bring that here!?????.

The way it was said was what inflamed emotions. As ambigous as the statements are and from what has personally been seen, there are actions that are being taken that are a direct result of references from the Talmud. This could very well be the time for another one of these great gatherings to settle a lot of issues people are being faced with, not just in the religous establishment, but it could also help in society. There needs to be a meeting.

and even if a religious Jew does wrong”…EVEN if??? Some of the most corrupt and bigoted people on the planet I’ve ever met are “religious” Jews. Judging by all of the orthodox coming out of the woodwork on this post would say that Reform’s correspondence has hit a nerve. After giving up the reins of religious power in Israel for 62 years, it’s more than about time that all of us non-orthodox JEWS of the world (and in Israel) take back the State. Apparently the orthodox are starting to get the message. The orthodox speak from their self-righteous, lofty perch on the backs of the “non-observant” Zionists who carved out a state for the benefit of ALL Jews. Accomplished during an era when at least three streams of Judaism were already in existence. Herzl must be rolling in his grave by now. Oh and this remark by #6 was the lowest and mightiest - “The Reform Movement ruined and killed already most Jews in Germany and other parts in Europe.” Well then how do you explain why three million Polish were massacred (50% of the holocaust dead)? Most lived orthodox lives – my family included. Finally to the orthodox among us, show me where it’s written in the Torah that I can’t stand by the Western Wall with my wife and daughter? #24 & #26, RIGHT ON!

non orthodox streams are dying out due to intermarriage- in 25 years theyll be gone... besides in Israel the non orthodox (reform, conservatives) barely exist-- israelies are in it or not in it... they are religious or secular... they are not into BS and set medium like reform or cons... israelies are extreme and chose a side

What many of the feedback writers seem to forget, or maybe they do not know, there is a difference between Torah & Halacha. Many seem to confuse the two and call everything Torah. Halacha is and was developed by people mostly rabbis & sometimes by adaption by the people. In any case people are not infallible and can and are wrong in many cases. The chutzpa of the chief rabbi to deem that his ideas are the only correct ideas is just plain arrogant. I do not know if the reform movement is good or bad but in any case they keep a lot of people tied to Judaism who would otherwise ignore religion entirely. Here are some items to ponder: 1. The Torah says to stone a rebellious son but the rabbis interpreted the Torah so that it in reality it is impossible to carry out this requirement. 2. One of our sages postulated that in may be dangerous to eat fish with meat, this was never incorporated in Halacha, but many religiously reframe from eating fish with meat as if it were Halacha. 3. In France many years ago someone said we should not eat kitniot on Passover, the rabbis at that time were against such a definition, but to this day Ashkenazim do not eat kitniot on Passover. 4. The status of women world wide has changed completely from the 16th century when the “Shulchan Aroch” was published so why do we slavishly adhere to these outmoded concepts? It must be realized that there is not only one way to be observant and we all must tolerate others ways.

Shame over you Amar. Search your Jewesh nesjama and read the Torah.

enough. They and their Conservative buddies have falsified Halacha and Torah. They created a new religion and called it by the venerable name "Judaism", fooling the people and themselves that they are legitimate. Nope.

Imagine if the reform movement take up an armed struggle against the Orthodox ? Be careful , a hateful mouth can cause us to loose Israel for the third time , it will not be arab terror.

What you are quoting are not halachic injunctions. Therefore people are at liberty to choose whether they want to abide by them or not. You are confusing the issues???? The reality of the problem is the fact that these groups have INSTITUTIONALIZED their "remodeling" of the tenets of our Halacha. Sorry, but this is apostasy. How can any self-respecting rabbi accept that? The TORAH says: Where the arrogant stands there is no room for Hashem. When these religious institutions (which are often comprised of innocents or naive people or by those that have been victimized by a predominantly christian culture aiming at aggressively converting the Jew, specifically, also by demeaning the external looks of traditional Judaism ) when these victimized Jews start OWNING their mistake and ignorance and thirst for true Judaism and make a step forward towards their Jew-brothers, we will have solved the problem.

That's something only fools can think . Reform cause intermarriage ? People who want to marry a Gentile , will do it , with or without Reform . Maybe even that reform retained some people of loosing every contact with Judaism , even they are not Orthodox . Some 50 years ago a liberal "rabbi" said to me that he prefered people coming to his Beth Knesseth by car on Shabbat , over noty coming at all and loosing every contact to Judaism . And the wedding of a Jew to Clinton's daughter , he did'nt marry her because there was a "rabbi" there , but because of long lasting love .

Immigrant female students who were married to Jews . Before making alyah with their Jewish husbands , i suppose . It's not an "intern" Israeli problem , you can't meet many non Jews here . Seculars stay at home instead of learning a wrong view ? Wrong , because this "wrong" view can bring them back to Orthodox Judaism . By staying at home they are completely lost . Killed their Jewish husbands ? They will ALWAYS remain Jewish .

The reason for segregation between men and women in places of prayer and the like is a protection against leviety in situations that demand proper behaviour (never mind that it should always be so) - That sort of protection and conduct is mentioned all over the Torah and in Rabinical fences.

Your ignorance of the makeup of the congregations of both the reform & conservative movements is apparent in your feedback. I will not speak for the reform movement, but the conservative movement has many members who were formally orthodox and its rabbis in many cases are more conversant with Torah, Talmud & Halacha then some of the orthodox rabbis. In addition they are well aware of what is going on in the world around them and do not live in an insulating bubble as do many orthodox rabbis. The conservatives are dedicated to reviewing Halacha and bring it into the 21st century instead of sticking to rules of the 16th century. In my synagogue we have members from 21 different countries and at least 25% with PHDs or post doctorates and a large number of academics. We have several former orthodox members as well. We are not trying to emulate the non Jews but are trying to practice our religion in a meaningful 21 century way, especially in respect to women. By the way I am a yeshiva graduate.

and the U.S. The Conservatives I know here from Australia and some other countries are from a significantly different "Conservative" tradition than the Conservatives I've known in the U.S. I think that part of the disagreements I read is due to talking about apples and oranges, calling both by the same name.

FYI- Iam an American born & raised in Brooklyn NY. I found many US conservatives the same as their brothers in Israel. Of course just as in any big group not everyone feels the same.

FYI, I'm an American who has lived in a number of different places in the U.S., including New England and New York as well as other countries. The Jewish environment of New York is significantly unlike most of the rest of the U.S. That goes for all branches of Judaism. The other major Jewish centers in the U.S., while having their own differences from New York, are themselves significantly different from the more outlying areas from the Jewish centers. Particularly away from the Jewish centers, the outlying areas, the non-Orthodox in particular differ more than their brethren in the Jewish centers. If you don't agree, fine. I'm just passing along the info I've personally experienced in case you might want to be aware of it. All the best,

The "progressive" movements remind me of someone who wants to play a game, but makes so many changes that the game is no longer recognizable as such. They are always talking about "Tikun Olam" I have a suggestion: stop burning fossil fuels (ie driving a car) on Shabbat. At least it would be a start in keeping the Ten Commandments.

else antithetical to the Jewish tradition of 1000s of years. Maybe thats why Reform has no basis to say they represent a form of Judaism? What does Reform have in common with Judaism? Reform have more things not in common