Jewish Law and modernity

1. The roundtable discussion was attended by about 25 participants of different Islamic institutions, such as, Harmony centre, Darul Arqam, Pergas, and various Mosques. In addition, members of other faiths were present as well. The discussion touched on the complex and intriguing social challenges that modernity presents to Jewish Law (Halakha).

2. Rabbi Adam started by asserting that modernity did and continues to present complex challenges to observant Jews. They had to choose either to assimilate and embrace modernity; or to reject it and be isolated; or to find a balanced moderate position. There was pressure during the periods of Emancipation and Enlightenment (1800s) for the Jews to be less observant and practice their religion less, or at least, privately, in order for them to integrate better in the countries they were in. Due to such dynamics, Jewish Law gradually evolved.

3. Gradually, Jewish groups that advocated the adoption of the different responses began to form movements. In time, there were four major currents; the UltraOrthodox, the Modern Orthodox, the reform/progressive/liberal movement and the Conservative Masorti movement. Their views ranged from being strictly observant, to the literal meaning of the scriptures, which is believed to be the exact Word of God, to being loosely attentive to the spirit of the moral laws, as derived from scriptures that are believed to have been written by human beings, albeit divinely inspired. Rabbi Adam Stein elaborated on the different movements and their chronological evolution in their various geographical and social contexts.

4. The Rabbi presented three issues that Jewish Law had to deal with / accommodate, these were: (1) the interpretation of the scripture; (2) the role of women; and (3) the acceptance of the homosexual, bi-sexual or transgendered Jews. However, the Rabbi did not go into the details of the process through which such changes are made; who the decision-makers are; the actual ethical systemic approach that is applied to consider these processes (if any); how these changes are communicated to the community; and whether they (the decision-makers) instead try to influence modernity or people’s mindsets in a proactive, rather than a reactive way. These are some questions that were raised from the discussion.

5. It is recommended, as a basic discourse framework, for engagement with members of the other faiths, that discussions be focused on common challenges by religions. This allows Muslims to learn about alternative responses and approaches that others deviced/adopted to these common challenges. This could serve as a benchmark exercise. The challenges include, but are not limited to - modernity, state-relations, intrafaith divisions, religious authority, Law and ethics, engaging members of the community, and the role of religious teachers.

A conversation with Rabbi Adam Stein: Jewish Law and modernity [PDF, 315 KB] ↗ (opens in new tab)