Q&A: Reform Jews and the Third Path
Reform Jews and the Third Path
Question
Hello,
I went over the outlook of the Third Path, and especially the Rabbi's outlook on the matter, and I couldn't understand the difference between that and Conservative Judaism, heading toward liberal Judaism.
Answer
That’s too general a question. Give an example and we can discuss it. Of course, you also need to define conservatism in order to discuss this.
Generally speaking, I’ll tell you that in my opinion there is no sharp line that defines conservatism, unlike Reform Judaism. I explained this at great length both in my series of columns here on modern Orthodoxy and in the third book of the trilogy, Moves Among the Standing. But of course these are my own positions, and not necessarily those of the Third Path.
So I’m not alarmed even if you think there is such an identity. Labels have never really interested me.