What exactly is “Conservative” Judaism?
Answer Dear David, Thank for writing. Orthodox Judaism contends that they are practicing the heritage according to revealed sources in the Hebrew Bible and including the Mishna, Talmud, Midrash, etc. Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism hold to a heritage that is human in origin. Conservative Judaism “conserves” the best that is in the text of the tradition, suspending the need to “know absolutely” the source of the core Jewish tradition. We know that the tradition was transmitted to us by scholars and copyists who incorporated into their work explanations, changes – some by design and some by accident – and interpretations. Check out the entry in the Encyclopedia Judaica.
