How does a religious movement balance ancient law with modern life? The Conservative Jewish movement's legal body, the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards (CJLS), reveals an unexpected pattern: rather than equally weighing tradition and modernity, it first considers the needs of committed Conservative Jews before seeking traditional justification for change. Analysis of fifty years of Conservative responsa (1948-1998) uncovers a distinctive three-stage process: the CJLS identifies contemporary moral and practical demands, develops halakhic justification through historical-scientific methodology, and implements compromises that preserve traditional elements while accommodating modern needs. Through systematic examination of responsa literature on Sabbath observance, women's ritual participation, kashrut, and other contemporary issues, a unique approach to Jewish law emerges—neither Reform nor Orthodox, but one that democratizes tradition through rabbinic interpretation and congregational autonomy. This process maintains institutional integrity while responding to modernity, demonstrating how religious law can evolve while preserving continuity with the past.