From Rebellion To Regression

Reform Judaism is the result of Judaic reform movement in late Middle Ages. In order to adapt Judaism to modern society some Jewish thinkers and the pioneers tried to reform traditional laws, customs and disciplines, hoping that Jews with Judaism belief could enter modern secular lives and be adopted by various social groups. Though the reform movement in Judaism was born with tribulations, it still attracted many followers because it responded to their need.The reform movement originated in Europe and popularized in the United States, and in there four influential platforms were issued. This essay aims at introducing the contents of the four platforms and probe into the changes in themes in the context of historical background.This essay is composed of five parts: four chapters and a conclusion.Chapter one talks about Pittsburg Platform issued in 1885. It declared the Reform Judaism's religious principles such as their rebellious reforms of traditional ceremonies, their re-interpretation of Messiah, and their disagreement with Talmudic resurrection. The platform expressed their will of reshaping Judaism as a universal religion.Chapter two analyzes the Columbus Platform issued in its background and discloses three major reasons for the changes in themes from the Pittsburg Platform to the Columbus Platform: anti-Semitism, Zionism and the influence of orthodoxy held by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. Taking the above three major factors into account, Reform Jews realized the danger of their eliminating national characteristics in Judaism and tried to reaffirm Jewish elements in Judaism.Chapter Three covers the San Francisco Platform issued in 1976. It shows that he broke of their universalism dream after Holocaust, together with the founding of Israeli State, brought Jewish nationality back to the Reform Jews' major concern.Chapter Four analyzes the new Pittsburg Platform. Judaism was then challenged by inter-marriage, overwhelming materialism and individualism which cast great influence upon young Jews. In response, Jewish nationality was again emphasized. This platform endeavored to renew tradition and tighten the relation between Judaism belief and Jews.The conclusion displays the development of Reform Judaism, from its European origin to its American prosperity, from its immature rebelling to its mature regression to tradition. Now as an organized branch of Judaism, Reform Judaism is still on its way of adaptation, facing new kinds of challenges.