Personal Agenda? Let’s get that out of the way.

Last updated on: May 14, 2019 at 4:28 pm by Gregory Eran Gronbacher

Personal Agenda? Let’s get that out of the way. 2019-05-14T16:28:17-04:00 Gregory Eran Gronbacher

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Our ongoing conversation about the possibilities of a Post-Rabbinic Judaism have prompted wonderful comments, and many, many emails. Some of these comments and emails ask about where I’m going with all this, what I’m hoping to achieve, and what is my “agenda?”

Well, let me spell that out a bit.

I’m a convert. I’m Reform. I’m firmly rooted in Liberal Theology. I respect our Orthodox brothers and sisters, as well as others.

I’m educated and well read in theology, philosophy, and history. I’m not claiming I know everything or have read everything, but my perspective is certainly informed.

My experience over the past 11 years has been a Judaism that pays homage to Rabbinic Judaism, but isn’t really an expression of such. In particular, Halakhah is largely ignored. Further, when I read versions of the 613 Mitzvot – hundreds of them have nothing to do my life, many seem fully outdated, and a few even offensive.

I really don’t have an agenda except to acknowledge this situation and ask honest questions. It seems to me that the direction and future of Liberal Judaism is Post-Rabbinic in nature. What that looks like is the point of these discussions.

With that said, I have no desire to tell other Jews what they must think or to wade into debates over who’s a real Jew and who isn’t.

I’m not looking to reinvent the wheel. I’m not looking to establish a new form of Judaism. I’m simply reading the signs of the times and examining trends and directions.

I welcome the input of others who are reading those signs or who simply want to contribute.

Previous Post

January 27, 2017

Context Matters - Liberal & Orthodox Judaism

Next Post

February 5, 2017 Getting Radical

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Bible Biblical Interpretation Change Christianity Culture Emerging Judaism God Innovation Jewish Moral Theology Jewish Observance Jewish Practice Jewish sexual ethics Jewish Social Justice Jewish Spirituality Jewish Theology Judaism Orthodoxy Rabbinic Judaism Reform Judaism Reform Observance Scripture Theological Change Theology of God Torah Uncategorized

Select a Month November 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Proverbs warns against what kind of woman as a symbol of temptation?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Adulterous woman Widow Mother-in-law Queen