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Integrating Tradition and Change

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Conservative rabbis face a core dilemma: how to uphold traditional Jewish practices while serving congregants who deeply respect but inconsistently observe these traditions. Drawing from ethnographic observations and practical experience at Temple Eilat, this research reveals that Conservative Jews maintain their connection to tradition primarily through institutional affiliation rather than regular observance. Through case study analysis, examination of halakhic precedents, and application of a four-point evaluative framework, the investigation demonstrates how rabbis can effectively navigate between preservation and adaptation of traditional practices. The findings show successful implementation of traditional elements like birkat kohanim and Tisha B'av observance, alongside necessary modifications such as gender-inclusive ritual participation. The research establishes that rabbis must serve as exemplars of traditional practice while strategically employing reinterpretation, modification, silence, or abandonment when traditions conflict with moral convictions or contemporary needs. This balanced approach, emphasizing gradual implementation of traditional goals while bridging ancestral priorities with modern concerns, proves crucial for sustaining Conservative Judaism as a vital, evolving religious system that honors both tradition and change.

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    Published 1992

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  • Publication Credits

    Bradley Artson