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It was a daunting role for a young rabbi: debating Jewish law and divisive topics like same-sex marriage with a roomful of distinguished rabbinical scholars.
Rabbi Adam Kligfeld of Monroe served on the committee that thrust Conservative Judaism into the spotlight this week by changing the movement's positions on homosexuality, openly gay rabbis and same-sex commitment ceremonies. The committee was deeply divided, and, in fact, issued contradictory opinions. One effectively gave legal cover for the first time to Conservative rabbis who want to perform commitment ceremonies, long embraced by the more liberal Reform branch of Judaism. The committee also allowed for ordination of openly gay rabbis. Kligfeld, 34, who has led Congregation Eitz Chaim for more than six years, was named to the 25-member committee in March and joined the contentious debate in June. Here are his thoughts on the advisory rulings and their potential impact. Q. What is the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards? A. The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards comprises 25 Conservative rabbis who convene four times a year to discuss, and rule on, issues of "halakha," or Jewish law. The rulings set the parameters within which individual Conservative rabbis can make their own decisions on "halakhic" issues in their community, and within which individual Conservative Jews can make personal decisions about Jewish observance. Q. How could this committee adopt contradictory interpretations of Jewish law regarding homosexuality, and how could you support both? A. It does indeed seem strange, and yet that very paradox is built in as a great strength of Conservative Judaism. Conservative Judaism rejects fanaticism and fundamentalism. We believe in multiple truths, and in a layered and nuanced theology. That both papers — one upholding the long-standing ban within Jewish law on homosexual intimacy, and one which called for a sanctioning of monogamous homosexual love while maintaining the clear Biblical prohibition on male sodomy — passed, and passed with a clear majority, shows that enough rabbis were either terribly undecided on this issue and/or were interested in both positions having legitimacy within our movement. For me personally, the pluralism exists not only within the movement, but also within my own soul. I voted for both because I believe that both have legal and moral legitimacy. Q. You say you're uncertain if you would perform a commitment ceremony if asked to do so. What would you consider before making a decision? A. This week I voted with respect to my understanding of the limits of Jewish law. I stand behind my votes. And I remain personally torn regarding my own comfort level with such a radical change in Jewish precedent and Jewish ritual. For now, let me say that I am glad for the Jewish community, and for the gay Jewish community, that there exist rabbis who will do such ceremonies, guided by the principles and values of Jewish law and Jewish morality. I think there is an absolute need for those ceremonies, and for good rabbis to do them.
Conservative JudaismThe Conservative movement is commonly seen as the middle ground in the spectrum of Jewish observance - more traditional than the Reformed branch and more flexible than Orthodox Judaism.
But the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City prefers to define the movement by "seven core values," including the centrality of modern Israel and the importance of Jewish law, or halakha, in guiding Jewish life.
Like his counterpart in Monroe, Rabbi Joel Schwab of Temple Sinai has mixed feelings about commitment ceremonies for gay couples and doesn't know what he'll do if asked to perform one.
Other Conservative rabbis have performed them, even though the movement officially frowned on the practice until this week. But Schwab and Rabbi Adam Kligfeld both say they've never been approached.
Schwab wasn't surprised by the contradictory rulings on homosexuality. He viewed that as a reflection of the movement's diversity.
"There are two legitimate ways of looking at this within the movement," he said.
Source: recordonline.com
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