A PRAYER BOOK FOR THE NON-RELIGIOUS

Jesus said, "Beware of the leaven of the Saducees and Pharisees." Today I suspect He would include Reform Judaism in His warning. The Reform wing is ready to release a new prayer book that is designed to include everyone. Well, everyone except anyone who might take God or the Bible seriously:

Now the nation’s largest Jewish movement, Reform Judaism, is preparing to adopt a new prayer book that was intended to offer something for everyone — traditionalists, progressives and everyone else — even those who do not believe in God.

The changes reveal a movement that is growing in different directions simultaneously, absorbing non-Jewish spouses and Jews with little formal religious education while also trying to appeal to Jews seeking a return to tradition.

Traditional touches coexist with a text that sometimes departs from tradition by omitting or modifying some prayers and by using language that is gender-neutral. References to God as “He” have been removed, and whenever Jewish patriarchs are named — like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, so are the matriarchs — like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah.

It seems like Reform Judaism is in desperate need of serious reform.