Is a Jew affiliated with Reform Judaism less “religious” than one affiliated with another movement?
Religion is a personal matter of belief, and just as there is a wide spectrum of underlying belief (regardless of outward practice) in other movements, there is in Reform Judaism. Practice is a different question. Although Reform permits a wide variety of practice–indeed, fully traditional practice could be accomodated in Reform if it was the result of honest study–the normative practice of American Reform Jewish is less ritualistic than, for example, Orthodox practice. This is a logical consequence of Reform’s emphasis upon kevanah or devotion as an essential part of Jewish ritual and practice. The notion is that rituals and practices mean more if one is committed to their reason and significance, emotional, rational, and spiritual.
