The stream of Jewish life and thought that aims at reinterpreting (or "reforming") Judaism in the light of Western thought, values and culture, where such a reinterpretation does not come into conflict with Judaism's basic principles. Reform Judaim arose in early nineteenth-century Germany, spread to Western Europe and England, and then to America.
Movement that arose in the nineteenth century in both Europe and the United States to modernize Judaism through changes in rituals and practice.
Movement begun in 19th century Germany. (See also Judaism)
the most liberal Jews; Jews who do not follow the Talmud strictly but try to adapt all of the historical forms of Judaism to the modern world
beliefs and practices of Reform Jews
A subdivision of Judaism that respects the Torah but does not view it as immutable.
A branch of Judaism involving the simplification of traditional rituals to accommodate modem life. Also known as Liberal or Progressive Judaism.
One of the three major branches of Judaism, and the most liberal.
developed in the early-to-mid 19th century, the Reform sect advocated the updating of Jewish tradition and practice in order to conform and adapt to the conditions of contemporary life brought on by such things as historical-critical scholarship, advancements in scientific inquiry, and social theory. Moral law, for example, became more important than ritual law, while the Torah came to be understood as a document that must always be interpreted in relation to the given historical circumstances of its readers.
Reform Judaism can refer to (1) the largest denomination of American Jews and its sibling movements in other countries, (2) a branch of Judaism in the United Kingdom, and (3) the historical predecessor of the American movement that originated in 19th-century Germany.