Reform Judaism Puns

Note that I mean no disrespect with the above term, but it’s one I’ve seen used by people to describe certain difficult passages in Tanakh. Things like God commanding bloodshed of innocents, enslavement, or even killing innocent people Himself and boasting. I’m not a fan of shying away from or denying that these parts of the scriptures exist, and I’m wondering how Reform Jews interpret and deal with them.

Hello everyone! I recently read a very interesting thread in r/religion about "the basic questions to have an answer for before joinging a religion". I have been reading a lot on judaism since summer but I was surprised to know I didn't know (or at least not as deeply as I think I should) the answer to most of these. Hopefully someone here can answer or direct me to appropiate resources!

The questions are:

1. What are the special, often unwritten, rules about everyday behavior for practitioners of reform judaism (if any)?
2. What are reform judaism's views of the LGBT community and the rights thereof? Is any community within it left out? (Note: I already know reform judaism is very open to LGBT people, but I'd appreciate more insight about that, especially when it comes to gay/lesbian marriage)
3. Is reform judaism experimental or dogmatic?
4. What are this religion's views of women's rights? Are there rules and expectations for women that don't exist for men? (this includes extra/different prayers)
5. Are there any dogmas which must be accepted, even against mainstream, accepted science?
6. How does this religion measure against to the BITE model? (in case you don't know what is the BITE model: https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/)
7. How does this religion treat "heretics", i.e., those that disagree with the general opinion?
8. Are leaders within this religion held accountable for immoral and illegal activity?

All answers are welcome!

Hi!

I have always been somewhat of a spiritual wanderer; that is, I know what my beliefs and morals are, but am still trying to figure out where I fit. I was raised Catholic and recently re-explored that faith, and during college I became good friends with people in on-campus Christian groups. I enjoyed and believed most of what I learned there.

Something has recently drawn me to Judaism, Reform Judaism in particular. The more I research, pray, and do some critical thinking about my beliefs, the more I feel a sense of both peace and excitement. However, I really want to take time to make the ‘right’ decision, especially because I know my beliefs are still evolving.

I have a couple of questions I hoped I could bounce off of everyone for some insight.

-For converts, what drew you to the faith? And, what is something you wish you knew or that others had told you about the faith before you started? Any good or bad surprises? (I’d be especially interested in this view from stricter Jews that Reform Jews are not ‘real’ Jews, and how you handle that.)

-What are practical ways you share your faith with others, if you do? I understand that even the beliefs in Reform Judaism vary between individuals, and you don’t proselytize. (Lots of respect for that!!)

-Is there a point at which I will need to make a commitment/decision, like before I am allowed to attend a service? I assume it’s best not to rush in, but part of me wants to make the decision before I ‘change my mind’! Is it too soon to reach out to a congregation and just say hello?

-How does this community view Jesus? I understand that perhaps the biggest difference between Christianity and Judaism is that you don’t believe He was the son of G-d or the Messiah. I have always seen Him as a figure to look up to and try to emulate, but I always struggled with the Gospel concept, especially ‘sharing’ the Gospel. I still like Him though!

Thanks! I may come up with more questions later on, just a warning. 😉

Tell me I'm wrong.

as an israeli i never really understood it. i never met a reform jew, and i dont think there is any significant number of them in israel, yet i constantly hear haredi fundamentalists such as litzman bashing them, and honestly if they hate them so much it must mean they are doing something right lol.

so in essence, what are the core values of reform judaism which differentiate it from other types of judaism such as conservative traditionalists etc. what is it in reform which causes the ultra orthodox to hate them so fiercly? and why isnt reform judaism popular in israel? thanks for your time and have a good day.

I have great respect for Orthodox Judaism. This is in no way to want to disrespect or start a hate train against Orthodox Jews.

Hi all. For most all of my life I’ve been a secular Jew. I’ve always enjoyed the culture and sense of community, but recently I’ve been slowly discovering the religion of my ancestors, and I feel an extremely strong connection. I have explored the idea of being a practicing Jew, studied a little bit of Torah, and I think Reform Judaism might just be a good choice for me. However, there are some questions I have.

Firstly, I am 16. My mother is a secular Jew as well (as are both of my maternal grandparents), but my father is a gentile. I know that this in itself presents no obstacles, but it leads into my big question: do I have to go through the full conversion process because my mother is non-practicing, or am I exempted? I would also add that I am already circumcised.

Secondly, I never got a Bar Mitzvah. I don’t know whether I’ll have to get one or not.

Thirdly, regardless of whether I have to go through the conversion process or not, where do I begin in terms of further study? I’m a bit lost. I don’t know Hebrew, I’ve never been to Shul before, and I don’t know any prayers besides the first two verses of the Shema. I really just want to learn.

To close it off, I have discussed it with my parents and they are both supportive of it. There is a Reform synagogue in my area that advertises itself as open to all, so I figure that’s my best option to start this journey.

Ultimately, I want to be a religious Jew because I feel like it will add an element to my life that I had no idea I had such a longing for. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

I know that dating/marrying a gentile is not allowed according to the Orthodox denomination. However, I always figured this was because of the emphasis placed on raising children in a proper Jewish home, with all observed rituals and traditions.

But what happens if the couple flat out doesn't want children? Or what happens if the couple cannot have children due to medical/biological reasons?

And what do other denominations have to say on the subject?

the only reforms I personally know are from the anglosphere and I was curious what are the reasons it failed here

I am Israeli and I know most are irreligious and those who either fall in the orthodox/ultra-orthodox or what in America would be called conservatives or dati Leumi

I’ve been thinking about looking into judaism and i think reform judaism is better suited to me than other types, i was wondering if anyone had any recourses or websites they could recommend for someone to start with when looking into judaism? I know nothing more than the average person but would really like to learn more!

I’m curious about what reform jews thing about using their phone on shabbos. I have some friends who believe that it’s okay as long as they aren’t using their phones or computers to do work and are using them to relax and enjoy themselves or to connect with long distance relatives and friends. What do we think?

Hi I’m from Italy, I live there too. I identify as a reform agnostic jew. Reform Judaism has been a big part of my life. In the Reform Judaism i and a lot of family of mine are a part of, we like many other reform/ modern day Jews have modified or abandoned many traditionally old Jewish beliefs, laws, and practices. When I learned about some of the laws and beliefs that I and the people at my synagogue don’t follow I was shocked. (My rabbi said that he doesn’t believe in a lot of those laws) I did not know what to think when I heard about some laws. I talked to my partner (he is not Jewish, but he is supportive and amazing) and he was shocked too. He thought our relationship would change in some ways (it has remained same).

Some law I learn that was most shocking: the Niddah laws for when a girl is on her period. How she cannot sleep in same bed with a man or in some cases even touch him. And even the baths they may take to clean after menstruated. I have never been to or had one of those baths neither has my mother, grandmother, or my cousins I am close to that are Jews. They all say they have sleep in same bed as their partner when they are on their period. I sleep with my partner on my period and sometimes we have sex during it.

I do keep other original Jewish laws like Kosher as much as I can, I celebrate holiday, and other thing. I love how Reform Judaism respects civil rights, is advocating for liberty. I love how much of a big part of my life it is. I love doing the Sabbath candles when I can. I think it is beautiful. I think of Judaism when making important decisions about my life.

My questions are: Do you touch your partner in any way during your period/ their period? Do you sleep in same bed as your partner during your/ there period? Are you intimate with your partner on their/ your period? Have you done Mikveh bath or has your partner? What Jewish laws do you not have as a part of your life? What laws/ customs shocked you? (You don’t have to answer all of you are uncomfortable)

Grazie Mille (thank you so much)!! I would love to here how Judaism has impact your life! Thank you for reading! Much love!

I'm currently playing as the Ethiopian Jewish (Haymanot) dynasty. I'd like to reform my religion, but no matter the tenets or doctrines I seem to pick, the game tells me that adherents of the old faith will consider the new one "hostile." Is there anything I can do to make my new faith be viewed as "astray" instead? Thank you!

Hello! I am just starting out diving into learning more about the faith. I've always been curious about Judaism and what I have know I have always loved. I finally went "if you love the idea of Judaism so much, why not look into actually converting instead of just joking about the fact that you one day might?". Honestly, I always thought it was SUPER complex and impossible for a former Christian to convert except through marriage. Looking into it more, I learned about Reform and now see doors opening and I have hope that I've finally found a religion that gives me the feeling of peace like I've always searched for. I've missed having any faith, but I've found it so difficult to stay aligned in the Christian faith.

Enough rambling, I apologize! This is all very new and exciting of an idea for me, and I don't typically have anyone with whom to discuss religion. If I may ask for any good suggestions for reading to learn more about Reform. I've ordered Jewish Living by Mark Washofsky. Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated! (Along with any other tidbits of advice!)

I'm about 30 years old, married & no kids. My mothers side is Jewish but the last person to actually practice was my great grandmother. I have never been to a church or a temple for worship in my whole life. I would consider myself an atheist, I don't really think there's a god out there or anything else supernatural... I am ethnically Jewish though, I took a 23andme test & there's a ton of Ashkenazi Jew in there. Anyways, I'm about to finally be able to stop moving around every few years (military) and settle down in a community & buy a house and I've been flirting with the idea of trying out being a real Jew...

I'm really no down with what I know of the Orthodox way of life / thinking... I'm not willing to go to a temple that makes men and women sit separately, that condemns homosexuality, etc... Those are hard rule breakers for me & I just won't support it. I don't want to wear the tassels or have to grow my beard out, I'm not trying to do these 100 things every day... If I were to become more Jewish I'd like it to kind of add to my life & not kind of segregate or alienate me from broader society. I'm also really not down with a lot of what is going on in Israel... I'm very anti-war & anti violence... I don't agree with a lot of the politics that are happening over there.

So I guess that leaves me with reform? I guess what I'm looking for is a sense of community, a sense of belonging to a culture/people, some wisdom/lessons that I'm sure Judaism does have to offer, etc. Am I just wanting something out of Judaism that doesn't exist? Are there reform temples that would be good for me?

Hi, I am a reform jew from Milan. I have been recently studying more types of Jewish branches and their beliefs. At my temple I have two rabbis a male and female. They’re both great. My male rabbi loves video games and my female rabbi loves video games. I recently found out about the “purity laws” how a man can’t touch or sleep with a woman who is on her period. I was shocked to find this out l, I found it different. (The niddah) I have a partner and him and I have always touched and sleep together when I’m on my period, it’s natural and not that big of a deal to us. (He’s not Jewish) I spoke to my female rabbi and she said “this is Reform Judaism, we see those laws as out dated”. I spoke to some of my female Jewish friends who go to same temple and they said that they still touch and sleep with their male partners during that time. (Some of their male partners are Jews too) I have heard some other law been talked about during services by both of my rabbis as “out dated” hearing some of the laws I was shocked to find out they have exist. My question is: what are some of the main differences you notice or heard between different types of Judaism? What kind of Jewish traditions are your favourites?

Shalom to everybody!

Aside from minor regional/ethnic differences in practice (like Ashkenazi and Sephardic traditions today), has rabbinic Judaism been relatively stable in practice for the "everyday" Jew since the destruction of the 2nd Temple through what we currently refer to as "orthodox" Judaism? Were there any schisms within Rabbinic Judaism akin to the relatively recent reform and conservative? I suppose the question comes down to whether there would even be a term "orthodox" if it weren't for those recent 19th/20th century movements or whether it would just be recognized as "Judaism" prior to that--and whether a Jew from perhaps the 10th or even 15th century would notice any huge difference living in an orthodox community today and whether that same Jew would be shocked that any other Jews live differently as Reform, conservative, etc.

I know the consensus is that it is a later reform at the time of Ezra or perhaps even later.

But since this practice, obviously parallels the Egyptian practice of Royal lineage following the Maternal line... I find it hard to believe that later Jews would suddenly come up with such a practice.

Could it be that truly it is an ancient practice that has its distant memory in "pre-historic" Exodus of the Hebrews? as there are many Jewish practices that are common with the Egyptians, such as the Ark the Phalloctries and circumcision.

I wonder if anyone noticed this connection between Maternal Judaism and Matriarchal Egyptian Royal lineage.

Okay firstly, hi! My name's Ryan (they/them). I was raised orthodox jewish but my parents were never that strict about us observing anything. Now i'm 16 and i, A) wish i had been more involved in my own culture growing up and, B) i wish i had been raised reform.

Orthodox Judaism feels so restricting to me, every orthodox girl i new growing up SUCKED, and since i'm nonbinary i dont feel like i belong anywhere in shul...

Is conversion necessary if you're going to try and become reform? How can i do this? Also, does anyone have any advice on how i could reconnect with Judaism? I have no clue how.

Thanks for any advice. ♡

EDIT: update for anyone who sees this! My mum's agreed to start taking me to the reform shul in our area, and she's going to help me relearn hewbrew :) I dont know why this makes me so emotional but it does lol. Thank's to everybody who gave me some encouragement in the comments.

If so I assume it would differ from orthodox judaism’s approach.

Hi I’m from Italy, I live there too. I identify as a reform agnostic jew. Reform Judaism has been a big part of my life. In the Reform Judaism i and a lot of family of mine are a part of, we like many other reform/ modern day Jews have modified or abandoned many traditionally old Jewish beliefs, laws, and practices. When I learned about some of the laws and beliefs that I and the people at my synagogue don’t follow I was shocked. (My rabbi said that he doesn’t believe in a lot of those laws) I did not know what to think when I heard about some laws. I talked to my partner (he is not Jewish, but he is supportive and amazing) and he was shocked too. He thought our relationship would change in some ways (it has remained same).

Some law I learn that was most shocking: the Niddah laws for when a girl is on her period. How she cannot sleep in same bed with a man or in some cases even touch him. And even the baths they may take to clean after menstruated. I have never been to or had one of those baths neither has my mother, grandmother, or my cousins I am close to that are Jews. They all say they have sleep in same bed as their partner when they are on their period. I sleep with my partner on my period and sometimes we have sex during it.

I do keep other original Jewish laws like Kosher as much as I can, I celebrate holiday, and other thing. I love how Reform Judaism respects civil rights, is advocating for liberty. I love how much of a big part of my life it is. I love doing the Sabbath candles when I can. I think it is beautiful. I think of Judaism when making important decisions about my life.

My questions are: Do you touch your partner in any way during your period/ their period? Do you sleep in same bed as your partner during your/ there period? Are you intimate with your partner on their/ your period? Have you done Mikveh bath or has your partner? What Jewish laws do you not have as a part of your life? What laws/ customs shocked you? (You don’t have to answer all of you are uncomfortable)

Grazie Mille (thank you so much)!! I would love to here how Judaism has impact your life! Thank you for reading! Much love!