Judaism, Conservative

Understanding of God

Conservative Judaism affirms the existence of God and the centrality of God in Judaism but does not dictate theological dogmatism. Within the movement there is an acknowledgment that different life and spiritual experiences lead to different understandings of the divine. For example, many believe in a supernatural God that created the world and continues to exercise control over it. Others believe that God created the world and that, by gradually withdrawing from the world's affairs, God presents humanity with an opportunity to partner in creation by improving the condition of the world. A smaller group holds that the actual presence/existence of God is in a part a result of our experiences and conceptions of the divine.

Conservative Judaism celebrates its theological diversity. Consistent with the sacred texts (including the Bible and the Talmud), which present widely distinct and nuanced understandings of God, Conservative Judaism continues to explore the nature of God.

Understanding of the Jewish Mission

Conservative Judaism affirms the Jewish people's special responsibility to advocate on behalf of those who are treated unjustly or marginalized by society. This responsibility defines their selection as the “chosen [Page 236]people.” The Jewish people can only fulfill their special role by continuously seeking the creation of compassionate societies that ensure the welfare of the weak along with the powerful. The Conservative movement, with Reform and Orthodoxy, consistently teach the importance of providing tzedakah (mandatory charitable contributions) and engaging in volunteerism. Only through these means will Jews help steer humanity towards this lofty world vision.

Understanding of the Bible

Conservative Jews believe that the Torah (The Five Books of Moses) records their ancestors' understandings of how God created the world, interacted with humanity, and revealed Godself to the Israelite nation. The most critical and celebrated of these revelations occurred at Mount Sinai. The clear presence of the human hand in recording the Torah and subsequent biblical texts prompts Conservative Judaism to reject fundamentalism and biblical literalism. The recognition of the central role of humanity in the formation of the biblical text does not detract from its holiness. Rather, Conservative Judaism maintains that the attempt of the human authors of the Bible to capture an understanding of God's essence, character, and will serves as the ultimate expression of holiness—the attempt to locate and enter into relationship with the divine.

...