The Religions Book

193

groups seceded from the
community, perhaps to be
served by a more orthodox rabbi.

Questioning theology
Theological innovation led to
liturgical reform and the publication
of a new Reform prayer book in
Hamburg in 1818. Scholars and
rabbis, such as Abraham Geiger,
now began to question key
theological assumptions. Geiger
recognized historical precedents
for modifying Jewish tradition to
adjust to new conditions, and
suggested that some observances
could be altered to be compatible
with modern ways of living.
Some of Judaism’s traditional
theology was abandoned too. The
German reformers no longer felt
that they could pray for a messiah
in the form of one person who
would return the people to the Land
of Israel to rebuild the Temple and
restore the priestly sacrificial cult.
Instead, they replaced the idea
of the messiah with one of the
messianic ideal—peace for every
nation on earth—that every Jew

would work to bring about. Even

more daring was the new idea that

the Jews were no longer in exile but

could realize their Jewish destiny

as citizens of a modern nation.

This dream was in some ways

short-lived. For many there was

no real social integration without

conversion to Christianity, and the

Holocaust of Nazi Germany and

World War II made clear the limits

of hope for an enlightened humanity.

Religious autonomy

There is a tension in progressive

Judaism, as in other strands of

the religion today, between being

part of a nation and community

(universalism), and having a unique

destiny (particularism). What

differs for progressive Jews is

probably the modern focus on

autonomy—their freedom to

determine how they live their

Jewish lives. Progressive Judaism

teaches that responsible autonomy

requires making choices based

on ethics, Jewish education, and

commitment to the Jewish people,

with reverence for the past and a

commitment to the future.

Jewish theologies continue to

develop. Although monotheism

remains a fundamental tenet ❯❯

See also: The promise of a new age 178–81 ■ The origins of modern political Zionism 196–97 ■ The Protestant Reformation
230–37 ■ The rise of Islamic revivalism 286–90 ■ The compatibility of faith 291

JUDAISM

A minority is always

compelled to think.

That is the blessing of

being in the minority.

Leo Baeck,

progressive rabbi

Universalism:

identification with

the common

concerns of all

humanity.

Particularism:

the task and

destiny of the

Jewish people.

Education:

secular and

Jewish.

Jewish history

and Jewish

peoplehood.

Power and

freedom of

individuals to

act on their

own choices.

Responsible

autonomy

The individual

making informed

choices.