Towards a New Orthodoxy?

Does modern orthodoxy really offer Faith without Fear*?

Simon Eder at JW3 Sunday 29th January 2017

Recent years has seen the proliferation of nominally orthodox scholars from the USA and Israel accept the propositions of biblical criticism whilst harmonising these with the authority of tradition. Indeed many of their findings echo the thought of Rabbi Jacobs zl a generation ago. But in understanding Judaism as continually evolving and as a partnership between man and The Divine how is it possible to stay true to the tradition?

In the opening lecture of this year’s Honest Theology series, Simon asks just what is the true impact of the enlightenment and whether today’s modern orthodoxy really offers faith without fear. Turning to the work of Rabbi Jacobs zl, he suggests the ramifications of his scholarship have been insufficiently digested by either Masorti or Modern Orthodoxy in the UK. He goes on to argue that now is the time for Anglo-Jewry to embrace a new Orthodoxy that is committed to the tradition and yet open to halachic change and ultimately heir to those radical Jewish sages who in every generation seek to create Torah anew!!

*Faith Without Fear” is the title of the recently published and acclaimed book by Rabbi Dr. Michael Harris

Q and A