There are no Reform bigots..................Not!

Members of the Reform movement often complain about being oppressed in some fashion or another. Most of it is b.s.- its just a matter of the Orthodox thinking they are right, and actually caring about their convictions. But, Orthodox sentiment does indeed 'cross the line' sometimes. You know what? So does Reform.

In discussing the new Reform prayer book, Rabbi Elyse Frishman had these nice words to say:

So much so that a huge, publicized debate has arisen because of the decision to return the "Resurrection of the Dead [M'chayeih Hameitim]" prayer to the prayer book. Previous Reform prayer books had dropped this prayer because of the movement's refusal to accept the expression's literal meaning, which is not suited to the rational outlook of Reform belief, and instead replaced it with the blessing "Gives Life to All [M'chayeih Hakol]." The discussion on including the prayer went on for many long months. In the end, Frishman's own opinion was accepted: The dead were brought back to the prayer as a metaphor - but in parentheses. Frishman is not referring to the dead literally coming back to life but rather to a blessing that stands for renewal, for a flourishing after a withering. There is no need to be alarmed by a prayer like this. Our community, she says, is smart enough to understand why the prayer has returned and what it symbolizes.

Nice! So, the Reform movement has a particularly rational outlook, and they, above all, are smart enough to have the capability of recognizing metaphor! Woot! Dumbass- all religions, no matter how watered down, do not fit the bill of being 'rational.' So, you reject the resurrection of the dead, but you keep certain mitzvot when you feel like them- where is the rationality there? Oh, right, because it's the culture of our fore bearers. Well, they kept all, and not some. Further, you really care about culture that much? Why? Unless there is something more to Judaism than meets the 'eye of rationality' than why not completely assimilate- it would be much easier. At least the Orthodox are consistent- they accept it wholesale. The Reform only accept half, and try to pass that half off as rational. What's that I hear? Oh, you meant 'modern.' So say that, you dumbass.

The Ha'aretz editorial isn't any better:

Frishman thinks "worship is an art" - that is, if it is done properly. She also aspires for her prayer book to provide a spiritual experience. The Reform movement is more spiritual than Judaism's more traditional streams, which are parallel to it. In fact - and this, too, has often been spoken of, demonstrated and discussed - it has drawn quite a lot from Hasidism.

So, Reform is the ultimate experience in Jewish spirituality, yet it needs to draw its inspiration from Hasidim? What you meant was less ritualistic. But even that's problematic, because while many synagogues do, in fact, do ritual for ritual's sake (and I even know a Rabbi who claims he enjoys that concept) most Orthodox shuls understand the meaning being the rituals- and hence, the rituals themselves are immensely spiritual.

Yet another campaign of misinformation born out of inherent bias.