Liturgical Reform in Contemporary Judaism: Is it Necessary? Does it Work?
By Rabbi Dow Marmur, PhD (Senior Rabbi of Holy Blossom, Toronto) In line with Heinrich Heine’s dictum that “Jews pray theology,” non-Orthodox movements in Judaism, particularly Reform, have tended to adjust the traditional liturgy to fit their theological orientation. As a result, new prayer books have been created in different countries, often every 25 years or so – as the theologies have been revised. This paper addresses the complex question on whether these noble and often creative efforts help people to pray, or if they are primarily the result of eager editors and hopeful promoters.
