WHAT DISTINGUISHES THE UTJ FROM THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT?
The UTJ is committed to the primacy of Halakhah in the formulation of all religious policy decisions. Historically, Conservative Judaism affirmed a similar commitment. Sadly, many policy decisions of recent decades indicate that today’s Conservative Movement is, at best, selectively loyal to Halakhah in general and the halakhic process in particular. Examples of the Conservative Movement’s new attitude include prayer book revision, egalitarianism, redefining halakhic boundaries of sexual relationships, and advocacy of Israel accepting conversions that are non-halakhic even by Conservative standards. Moreover, these changes often proceeded without prior review by the Conservative Movement’s own halakhic authorities. The Conservative Movement thus appears to endorse the notion that changing societal norms can supersede the proper application of halakhic sources.
