Towards an Aggadic Judaism
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Conservative Judaism's traditional adherence to halakhah (Jewish law) faces a profound theological crisis in the modern era. As biblical scholarship and critical approaches to revelation challenge halakhah's claims to divine authority, contemporary Jews can no longer sustain the classical understanding of Torah as absolute divine command. Through textual analysis and philosophical investigation, this research reveals how historical circumstances have progressively narrowed halakhah's scope from a comprehensive system governing daily life to isolated domains of ritual and personal status law. The historical development of Jewish law demonstrates its diminishing relevance in modern contexts, evidenced by practical examples of flourishing non-halakhic Jewish observance. Modern Jewish life's inherently voluntaristic and pluralistic character renders strictly legal frameworks for religious practice not only obsolete but potentially counterproductive. An alternative "aggadic" approach to Judaism—one that emphasizes spiritual meaning over legal formalism while preserving traditional symbols and practices—emerges as a more authentic and sustainable model for contemporary Jewish religious life. This framework advocates for subjective religious standards rather than objective legal requirements, offering a path forward that aligns with modern theological understanding while maintaining meaningful connection to Jewish tradition.

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Published 1975
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Edward Feld