Middle East Information Resource
Religions/Belief Systems - Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism is an orientation in Judaism, originating out of Ashkenazi environments in Germany in the 19th century. In a sense, its orientation lies in the middle between Reform Judaism and Orthodox Judaism.
The Conservative Jews claim that the long tradition of religious study and debate in Judaism needs to be revived and applied in the context the societies of today. They allow some adjustments of Judaism to modern times and lifestyles, but is concerned about preserving the central values of Judaism. The sacredness of the Sabbath is preserved, the dietary laws are respected and observed, but modified compared to traditional Judaism, and they are conscientious about learning Hebrew.
The Conservative Jews consider the Torah and the oral law of divine origins, and fundamental to Jewish life. However, they believe that traditional interpretations include a human element that is conditioned by social conditions, and deserves to be reexamined in the light of modernity.
Conservative Judaism began in 1845 when the German Jew, Zacharias Franckel, protested against Reform Judaism, which he though went to far in modernizing Judaism. Conservative Judaism has been active in politics, especially in the Zionist movement since the end of the 19th century.