- Apikoros, probably derived from the Greek philosopher Epicurus, who
believed there were no connections between the isolated particles
in the universe.
- Rabbi Akiva argued that life is not a question of free will or a divine
plan, but a paradoxical dialogue between them both: "Everything is seen (by
God), and free will is given" (Pirkei Avot 3:19)
- iWorship. To participate in the e-mail discussion group about Reform
Jewish worship, send your name, congregation, city/state, temple position,
and e-mail address to rliving@uahc.org,
fax 212-650-4229.
- "Appealing to their Jewish communal loyalty doesn't work because young
people see marriage as a very personal decision," Rabbi Smith says. "The
best we can do is to anchor the Jewish identity of each individual by making
Jewish study and practice an important part of their lives. ....I think it's
unrealistic to expect our young people to reject the environment in which
they've grown up--one that places such a high value on inclusiveness and
equality."
- Divorce. Having determined that divorce is a civil matter, Reform
Judaism is the only Jewish movement in the U.S. that does not issue
a get (divorce document). In 1988, the Central Conference of
American Rabbis issued an optional ceremony for divorcing couples
-- "Seder P'reidah-Ritual of Release" -- but it is not a get
and should not be construed as such.
- Conservative Judaism has added what is known as the "Lieberman Clause"
to its ketubah, or marital license. Named after its originator,
the late Jewish scholar Saul Lieberman, this clause, signed by both
husband and wife and read during the wedding ceremony, empowers the
Conservative beit din to act on behalf of the woman and award
her a get, even if the husband refuses. The Reconstructionist
Movement, which includes women as part of the beit din, allows
a woman the right to initiate a divorce proceeding.
- Exodus 20. They are repeated in Deuteronomy 5. A UAHC Significant
Jewish Book, "Broken Tablets: Restoring the Ten Commandments and Ourselves," edited by Rachel S. Mikva, includes short essays on each of the Ten
Commandments and offers an opportunity to study Torah with renowned Reform Jewish scholars.
- Churchill stated: "There has never been methodical, merciless butchery on such a scale or approaching such as scale," but he makes no mention of Jews. A year later, in U.S. President Roosevelt's address to Jewish groups in the fall of 1942, historian Richard Breitman writes (in "Official Secrets: What the Nazis Planned, What the British and Americans Knew"): "there was no clear recognition that Jews were a special Nazi target, and there was certainly no hint of interest in rescue action during the war."
- Hachma means wisdom that is tempered by life's experiences.
We use the term hacham lev, or wise heart, to refer to someone
possession emotional soundness and balance. Bina is spiritual
understanding or an awareness of the transcendent. De'ah refers
to an intellectual grasp of our environment. Rabbi Stuart Pollack
writes: "Judaism has always recognized the magnitude of these three
canons of intelligence-emotional, intellectual, and spiritual....
If one is removed, as in a three-legged stool, the rest are rendered
useless. To have a technical knowledge of the world, or de'ah,
is impractical without the emotional maturity to use that knowledge
productively. Similarly, emotional and intellectual acuity need an
anchor and reference point in spiritual intelligence. All three forms
of intelligence are essential for personal success."
- If a scribe makes an error, such as spilling ink on a word, it can usually
be wiped away and cleaned around the parchment. But if a mistake is
made on a sacred name, the entire piece of parchment--up to three
columns--must be rewritten. The damaged parchment must be buried in
a genizah, a special repository for sacred writings.
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