20 Mar Jewish History Essay

Paper 2 Pittsburgh Platform

The Pittsburgh Platform outlines a set of principles of what was then known as Reform Judaism. It was written in 1885 by several reform rabbis, most prominently Kaufmann Kohler. It promoted a vision for or conception of Judaism that was adaptable to modern circumstances and values. The goal of this paper is to analyze and explain this document.

In a paper of about 750-1000 words, write an essay that answers the following question:

How did Kaufman Kohler, the author of the Pittsburgh Platform, construct a conception of Judaism that conformed to modern values and would be able to flourish in the contemporary world of his day?

Your paper should have a thesis. You should cite at least two examples from the Pittsburgh Platform. All quotations should be fully explained.

You may NOT use any sources besides (1) the text of the Pittsburgh Platform, (2) pages 214-217 of Michael Brenners A Short History of the Jews and (3) Dana Evan Kaplans Historical Overview from American Reform Judaism, posted under the March 3 module. The use of other sources is ground for receiving a 0 on the assignment.

In the conclusion, you should reflect upon what The Pittsburgh Platform [you may call it the Platform in your essay], a document written in 1885 by a German-trained rabbi living in America, teaches us about Jewish history.

Note: 20^th and 21^st Century Reform Judaism differs markedly from the form of Judaism outlined in The Pittsburgh Platform. Think about them as two separate understandings of Judaism.

The Pittsburgh Platform:

The following points were agreed upon and became known as the Pittsburgh Platform:

1. We recognize in every religion an attempt to grasp the Infinite, and in every mode, source or book of revelation held sacred in any religious system the consciousness of the indwelling of God in man. We hold that Judaism presents the highest conception of the God-idea as taught in our Holy Scriptures and developed and spiritualized by the Jewish teachers, in accordance with the moral and philosophical progress of their respective ages. We maintain that Judaism preserved and defended midst continual struggles and trials and under enforced isolation, this God-idea as the central religious truth for the human race.

2. We recognize in the Bible the record of the consecration of the Jewish people to its mission as the priest of the one God, and value it as the most potent instrument of religious and moral instruction. We hold that the modern discoveries of scientific researches in the domain of nature and history are not antagonistic to the doctrines of Judaism, the Bible reflecting the primitive ideas of its own age, and at times clothing its conception of divine Providence and Justice dealing with men in miraculous narratives.

3. We recognize in the Mosaic legislation a system of training the Jewish people for its mission during its national life in Palestine, and today we accept as binding only its moral laws, and maintain only such ceremonies as elevate and sanctify our lives, but reject all such as are not adapted to the views and habits of modern civilization.

4. We hold that all such Mosaic and rabbinical laws as regulate diet, priestly purity, and dress originated in ages and under the influence of ideas entirely foreign to our present mental and spiritual state. They fail to impress the modern Jew with a spirit of priestly holiness; their observance in our days is apt rather to obstruct than to further modern spiritual elevation.

5. We recognize, in the modern era of universal culture of heart and intellect, the approaching of the realization of Israels great Messianic hope for the establishment of the kingdom of truth, justice, and peace among all men. We consider ourselves no longer a nation, but a religious community, and therefore expect neither a return to Palestine, nor a sacrificial worship under the sons of Aaron, nor the restoration of any of the laws concerning the Jewish state.

6. We recognize in Judaism a progressive religion, ever striving to be in accord with the postulates of reason. We are convinced of the utmost necessity of preserving the historical identity with our great past. Christianity and Islam, being daughter religions of Judaism, we appreciate their providential mission, to aid in the spreading of monotheistic and moral truth. We acknowledge that the spirit of broad humanity of our age is our ally in the fulfillment of our mission, and therefore we extend the hand of fellowship to all who cooperate with us in the establishment of reign of truth and righteousness among men.

7. We reassert the doctrine of Judaism that the soul is immortal, grounding the belief on the divine nature of human spirit, which forever finds bliss in righteousness and misery in wickedness. We reject as ideas not rooted in Judaism, the beliefs both in bodily resurrection and in Gehenna and Eden (Hell and Paradise) as abodes for everlasting punishment and reward.

8. In full accordance with the spirit of the Mosaic legislation, which strives to regulate the relations between rich and poor, we deem it our duty to participate in the great task of modern times, to solve, on the basis of justice and righteousness, the problems presented by the contrasts and evils of the present organization of society.

Grading Guidelines:

13.5-15 The introduction provides a roadmap for the paper and a strong thesis statement. The paper gives a thorough and nuanced answer to the question. The paper cites two examples from the Pittsburgh Platform. Quotations are used as evidence for the papers claims rather than making the claims themselves. The paper provides a clear account of what the Pittsburgh Platform teaches us about Jewish history and reform Judaism. The paper is easy to understand and does not include grammatical or typographical errors, thereby demonstrating that the paper has been proofread.

12-13.2 The introduction provides a roadmap for the paper and a thesis. It gives a persuasive answer to the question. The paper cites two examples from the Pittsburgh Platform. Quotations are used as evidence for the papers claims although they may be slightly too long. The paper discusses what the Pittsburgh Platform teaches us about Jewish history. The paper is easy to understand with only a few grammatical or typographical errors.

10.5-11.8  The introduction discusses the papers topic, but there is no thesis statement and the paper is poorly organized. The paper discusses Kaufman Kohler but the answer to the question is insufficient or inaccurate. The paper presents arguments from the Pittsburgh Platform, but only cites one example. The paper mentions that the Pittsburgh Platform teaches us something about Jewish history. The paper is difficult to understand and contains several grammatical or typographical errors. The paper may be fewer than 700 words.

9-10.5 The introduction discusses the papers topic, but there is no thesis statement and the paper lacks a conclusion. The paper discusses the Kaufman Kohler but the answer to the question is insufficient or inaccurate. It does not cite any specific examples from the Pittsburgh Platform. The paper mentions that the Pittsburgh Platform teaches us something about Jewish history. The paper is poorly written and organized with many typos.

Follow the directions above and don’t exceed 1000 words. Also use the requred sources that are listed above. Thank you so much and if you have any questions let me know!!