"BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY"

according to all Orthodox thinkers; they limit the scope of later discussion within their circles. For us, as Reform Jews, those decisions do not eliminate earlier opinions; furthermore, we agree with the traditional view that later generations possess greater knowledge than those which preceded; we have the freedom and our modern scientific, sociological, and economic insights which may lead to different decisions. We may follow these paths if we are sufficiently knowledgeable to defend our choice. We feel free to reopen old debates especially if our life has changed radically.

In some areas of Jewish life most issues have been thoroughly aired long ago and the conclusions have been universally accepted by all Jews, Orthodox , Reform, and Conservative. We agree on many matters of business ethics, medical procedures, marriage law, etc. We have reopened the debate with women's rights, birth control, Jewish status, conversion, euthanasia, as well as other issues.

In other areas, little discussion occurred in the past; they were peripheral. Sometimes modern conditions and our level of knowledge 1s radically different from earlier ages. On still other matters, the underlying issues have never been resolved. A room for movement has remained and our discussions must continue. Even as we look at each of these issues we must ask how our autonomous position fits into the larger community? To what extent can we deal with major questions on an individual basis? When does the survival of the community become paramount? We have discussed autonomy thoroughly, but not yet dealt with the discipline necessary to create a community, and that must be our dominant concern now.

We must remember that the system of mitzvot has created the community in which we have experienced our autonomy. We can see the historic growth of our community in the progression from the patriarchal family units to the"people of Israel ". We need to make a similar progression for ourselves. As we face this issue as well as some others, community must become more important than the wishes of the individual.