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A Halakhic Agenda for the Conservative M

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The Conservative movement's greatest challenge to halakhic vitality comes not from Orthodox criticism but from within - a surprising finding that emerges from comparative analysis of responsa literature across Jewish denominations. While Orthodox rabbis have published dozens of volumes of responsa and Reform Judaism has produced ten, Conservative Judaism has generated remarkably few despite its proclaimed commitment to Jewish law. Through examination of current practices and historical patterns, four problematic trends emerge: excessive focus on halakhic philosophy over practice, persistent emphasis on changing rather than living halakhah, democratization of legal decisions through congregational voting, and reduction of halakhah to public rather than comprehensive observance. The research methodology combines theoretical critique with practical analysis, drawing on responsa literature and institutional practices across movements. To address these challenges, three structural solutions emerge: implementing systematic practical halakhah education across movement institutions using both classical codes and Conservative responsa, dramatically expanding responsa literature production and accessibility, and redesigning Jewish Theological Seminary curriculum to emphasize practical application and responsa writing. The findings demonstrate that authentic halakhic vitality requires moving beyond philosophical discourse to practical implementation, with responsa literature serving as the key metric for genuine halakhic engagement within Conservative Judaism.

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    Published 1994

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    David Golinkin