THE COLUMBUS PLATFORM
In view of the changes that have taken place in the
modern world and the consequent need of stating anew the teachings
of Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis
makes the following declaration of principles. It presents them
not as a fixed creed but as a guide for the progressive elements
of Jewry.
A. Judaism and it's Foundations
- Nature of Judaism. Judaism is the historical religious
experience of the Jewish people. Though growing out of Jewish
life, its message is universal, aiming at the union and perfection
of mankind under the sovereignty of God. Reform Judaism recognizes
the principle of progressive development in religion and consciously
applies this principle to spiritual as well as to cultural and
social life. Judaism welcomes all truth, whether written in the
pages of scripture or deciphered from the records of nature.
The new discoveries of science, while replacing the older scientific
views underlying our sacred literature, do not conflict with
the essential spirit of religion as manifested in the consecration
of manUs will, heart and mind to the service of God and of humanity.
- God. The heart of Judaism and its chief contribution
to religion is the doctrine of the One, living God, who rules
the world through law and love. In Him all existence has its
creative source and mankind its ideal of conduct. Though transcending
time and space, He is the indwelling Presence of the world. We
worship Him as the Lord of the universe and as our merciful Father.
- Man. Judaism affirms that man is created in the
Divine image. His spirit is immortal. He is an active co-worker
with God. As a child of God, he is endowed with moral freedom
and is charged with the responsibility of overcoming evil and
striving after ideal ends.
- Torah. God reveals Himself not only in the majesty,
beauty and orderliness of nature, but also in the vision and
moral striving of the human spirit. Revelation is a continuous
process, confined to no one group and to no one age. Yet the
people of Israel, through its prophets and sages, achieved unique
insight in the realm of religious truth. The Torah, both written
and oral, enshrines Israel's ever-growing consciousness of God
and of the moral law. It preserves the historical precedents,
sanctions and norms of Jewish life, and seeks to mould it in
the patterns of goodness and of holiness. Being products of historical
processes, certain of its laws have lost their binding force
with the passing of the conditions that called them forth. But
as a depository of permanent spiritual ideals, the Torah remains
the dynamic source of the life of Israel. Each age has the obligation
to adapt the teachings of the Torah to its basic needs in consonance
with the genius of Judaism.
- Israel. Judaism is the soul of which Israel is the
body. Living in all parts of the world, Israel has been held
together by the ties of a common history, and above all, by the
heritage of faith. Though we recognize in the group loyalty of
Jews who have become estranged from our religious tradition,
a bond which still unites them with us, we maintain that it is
by its religion and for its religion that the Jewish people has
lived. The non-Jew who accepts our faith is welcomed as a full
member of the Jewish community. In all lands where our people
live, they assume and seek to share loyally the full duties and
responsibilities of citizenship and to create seats of Jewish
knowledge and religion. In the rehabilitation of Palestine, the
land hallowed by memories and hopes, we behold the promise of
renewed life for many of our brethren. We affirm the obligation
of all Jewry to aid in its upbuilding as a Jewish homeland by
endeavoring to make it not only a haven of refuge for the oppressed
but also a center of Jewish culture and spiritual life. Throughout
the ages it has been IsraelUs mission to witness to the Divine
in the face of every form of paganism and materialism. We regard
it as our historic task to cooperate with all men in the establishment
of the kingdom of God, of universal brotherhood, Justice, truth
and peace on earth. This is our Messianic goal.
B. Ethics
- Ethics and Religion. In Judaism religion and morality
blend into an indissoluble unity. Seeking God means to strive
after holiness, righteousness and goodness. The love of God is
incomplete without the love of one's fellowmen. Judaism emphasizes
the kinship of the human race, the sanctity and worth of human
life and personality and the right of the individual to freedom
and to the pursuit of his chosen vocation. justice to all, irrespective
of race, sect or class, is the inalienable right and the inescapable
obligation of all. The state and organized government exist in
order to further these ends.
- Social justice. Judaism seeks the attainment of
a just society by the application of its teachings to the economic
order, to industry and commerce, and to national and international
affairs. It aims at the elimination of man-made misery and suffering,
of poverty and degradation, of tyranny and slavery, of social
inequality and prejudice, of ill-will and strife. It advocates
the promotion of harmonious relations between warring classes
on the basis of equity and justice, and the creation of conditions
under which human personality may flourish. It pleads for the
safeguarding of childhood against exploitation. It champions
the cause of all who work and of their right to an adequate standard
of living, as prior to the rights of property. Judaism emphasizes
the duty of charity, and strives for a social order which will
protect men against the material disabilities of old age, sickness
and unemployment.
- Peace. Judaism, from the days of the prophets, has
proclaimed to mankind the ideal of universal peace. The spiritual
and physical disarmament of all nations has been one of its essential
teachings. It abhors all violence and relies upon moral education,
love and sympathy to secure human progress. It regards justice
as the foundation of the well-being of nations and the condition
of enduring peace. It urges organized international action for
disarmament, collective security and world peace.
C. Religious Practice
- The Religious Life. Jewish life is marked by consecration
to these ideals of Judaism. It calls for faithful participation
in the life of the Jewish community as it finds expression in
home, synagogue and school and in all other agencies that enrich
Jewish life and promote its welfare. The Home has been and must
continue to be a stronghold of Jewish life, hallowed by the spirit
of love and reverence, by moral discipline and religious observance
and worship. The Synagogue is the oldest and most democratic
institution in Jewish life. It is the prime communal agency by
which Judaism is fostered and preserved. It links the Jews of
each community and unites them with all Israel. The perpetuation
of Judaism as a living force depends upon religious knowledge
and upon the Education of each new generation in our rich cultural
and spiritual heritage.
Prayer is the voice of religion, the language of faith and
aspiration. It directs man's heart and mind Godward, voices the
needs and hopes of the community and reaches out after goals
which invest life with supreme value. To deepen the spiritual
life of our people, we must cultivate the traditional habit of
communion with God through prayer in both home and synagogue.
Judaism as a way of life requires in addition to its moral
and spiritual demands, the preservation of the Sabbath, festivals
and Holy Days, the retention and development of such customs,
symbols and ceremonies as possess inspirational value, the cultivation
of distinctive forms of religious art and music and the use of
Hebrew, together with the vernacular, in our worship and instruction.
These timeless aims and ideals of our faith we present anew
to a confused and troubled world. We call upon our fellow Jews
to rededicate themselves to them, and, in harmony with all men,
hopefully and courageously to continue Israel's eternal quest
after God and His kingdom.
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