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Finding Mitzvah a Local Search

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Why do Conservative Jews attend synagogue if they don't strictly believe in divine commandments? At Shaarei Tikvah in Scarsdale, New York, congregants reveal a complex web of motivations that challenges traditional assumptions about religious obligation. Through surveys of 102 congregants, particularly focused on High Holiday attendance, a pattern emerges: Jewish tradition and peoplehood drive participation more than explicit divine commandment, followed by spiritual fulfillment and community connections. Qualitative analysis of written responses uncovered additional motivations including educational opportunities, children's religious development, family nostalgia, divine communication, and sense of duty—though direct references to halakhic obligation were surprisingly rare. Yet beneath these varied reasons lies an implicit sense of "ought" that suggests a transformed understanding of mitzvah. Rather than undermining Conservative Judaism's emphasis on halakhic obligation, these cultural and traditional motivations represent authentic forms of commandedness. The findings demonstrate that Conservative Jewish theology can embrace diverse pathways to observance while maintaining traditional commitment, redefining commandedness as an obligation to preserve and transmit Jewish tradition beyond strict halakhic observance.

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    Published 2008

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    David Fine