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From: mls@wxlvax.UUCP (Michael Schneider)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Assertions of jewishness by reform and Conservative Jews (long)
Message-ID: <285@wxlvax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 29-May-84 13:38:43 EDT
Article-I.D.: wxlvax.285
Posted: Tue May 29 13:38:43 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 1-Jun-84 22:05:03 EDT
References: eosp1.890
Lines: 34

There is a difference between the belief of Orthodox Jews and the rest.  
Orthodox Jews believe that the Torah was given to Moshe Rabanau on Mount
Sini.  The rest have stated that the Torah was written by man with divine 
inspiration.  What does mean?  If, as the Orthodox believe, it was G_d who
wrote the Torah, then it can not be changed; nothing can be added, modified
or removed.  On the other hand, if man wrote it, then man can change it.  We
have seen this view applied by Reform, Conservative, and the others in the
way they have formulated their "laws."  In most cases, they have weakened
the laws to make the religion fit into today's world.

Although many of their changes only effect the individual who does not perform
a Mitzva, three items effect the unity of the Jewish people: conversion,
divorce, and who is a Jew (other than the problems related to conversion).
In addition, the modifications to who is a valid witness and who can be 
counted as part of a minyon further separate them from Orthodox Jews.  

The question arose as to the word "fraudulent."  The change from a Torah
written by G_d to one written by man is major. Since the Torah was given to
Moshe Rabanau by G_d, it can't be changed, no matter what people want to do. 
Either there is one law given to the Jewish people, or there isn't.  Thus,
any group that suggests that the law can be changed can be considered
"fraudulent."  

It should be noted that the above comments only apply to changes to the law and
not to interpretations.  The Conservative movement has stated that many of
their modifications were not changes, but interpretations.  Yet, in some of
their modifications, the Talmud Department at JTS has publicly stated that they
changed the law, not interpreted it.  

However, non-Orthodox Jews (if they meet the legal criteria) are still Jews,
no matter what they do or believe.  

					M.L. Schneider
.