Question: How can Conservative Judaism change laws handed down from God in the Torah?
Conservative Judaism is based on a principle that combines tradition with modern life. I was wondering how the rabbis decided they could ignore what God said and change laws handed down by God? I understand that Conservative Judaism combines tradition and changes of modern times, but I'm trying to understand how that is justified by the Torah.
Answer: Your question is a good one, although it is the premise that is at stake. One of the on-going intellectual and scholarly discussion in Rabbinics is the line from Sinai to the modern age.
For some the entire Written Torah (Hebrew Scriptures) and the Oral Torah (including the Mishna, Talmud, Legal Midrash and even Rabbinic opinions) was revealed to Moses on Sinai and handed down as described in the Mishna Avot. For others on the other side of the range of opinions, the core of Jewish law and custom was inspired at Sinai and then evolved and unfolded over the centuries, very often with different or varying views.
Consider that there are two Chief Rabbis in Israel, Sefardi and Ashkenazi - who have disagreed with each other on various issues. Clearly they can't both be correct. Add to this mix the various Hassidic dynasties and communities, Eastern European Orthodox, modern Orthodox and others.
A simple example are the varieties of rulings on kosher meat - if only the rules of slaughter. Consider that El Al has or had multiple airline kitchens in order that the various Jewish groups feel that the food they are eating is "truly" kosher. How could it be if the laws came directly from Sinai, without variation? And, from my point of view, why should one Jewish group disparage another group as "less strict" or "less observant" with whom they can't eat or worship?
There have been differences of opinion between Jewish teachers from the earliest period of our literary history. That is perhaps the unique and positive role played by the Conservative Movement today. We emphasize learning the history and most accurate text of any particular ruling, law or custom and then we attempt to blend it with the contemporary scene and modern knowledge. It is insufficient to simply cite previous "poskim" who lived in different places, times and conditions. It is insufficient to rely only upon modern science, learning, logic and morality to rule on how we should live. In the words of my teacher, Rabbi Mordecai Waxman, z"l, and his famous work, we live as Jews in a world of Tradition and Change.
Best wishes,
Rabbi Dov
