Both Conservative or Masorti Judaism and Orthodox Judaism consider the observance of halakha as fundamental. Both maintain that Jewish law, halakha, is defined by the Torah, the Mishnah, the Talmud, the codes, and rabbinic responsa. Both believe that the commandments or mitzvot reflect divine will and derive from the covenant between God and the people of Israel.

What, then, is the difference? The difference is not in which mitzvot we fulfill (they are the same for both), but how we apply them. A Masorti rabbi understands the world differently than an Orthodox rabbi. As a matter of principle, Masorti Judaism recognizes the value of scientific advances and therefore seeks to interpret Jewish tradition in light of these postulates. He maintains that the reason for following a tradition is because that tradition is based on truth.

Another difference is the attitude toward change. Our society is characterized by constant social change. A society that does not adapt to changes in its environment becomes irrelevant. For Masorti Judaism, change only occurs when it is definitely necessary. The history of halacha is full of examples of changes that have occurred in each generation. Today, one of those changes is the role of women in Judaism. Women today are fully integrated into society, are educated, hold important positions in politics, social and economic institutions, and enjoy equal rights with men. We understand that halacha developed in a time when this was not the case, but that has changed, Masorti Judaism grants equal rights to both sexes.

The Masorti movement believes that Judaism is constantly evolving. The Talmud itself reveals the rabbis’ passion for open discussion and willingness to present various opinions on a topic, provided they are rooted in the mitzvot, love of God, learning, and reason. Jewish law lends itself to more than one interpretation. Our sages combined their commitment to tradition with the courage to adapt it to a new environment. They did not hesitate to present new visions or rules that contrasted with established practices.

Solomon Schechter, one of the great ideologues of Conservative Judaism, said that ultimately the highest authority in Judaism resides in the consensus of the Jewish people, who, through their practice, are the ones who truly decide what is valid or not. Biblical scholars have shown that the Torah has a history, so it is difficult to accept that it was literally given to us in its entirety at a given moment. The Masorti movement understands the giving of the Torah metaphorically and sees the Jewish people not as mere passive recipients of its mitzvot, but as creators of them under the guidance and inspiration of God.

It is very satisfying to know that we observe tradition in the same way our parents and grandparents did. A stance that is too open to change, risks losing that entire historical heritage. But a closed stance risks becoming anachronistic. Masorti Judaism is the balance between the two. The difference is not in what, but in how.

By: Marcos Gojman

Bibliography: Articles by Masorti Olami and other sources.