SELECTED REFORM RESPONSA

On page 226 of the book Behinat Ha-Qabbalah, the editor, Reggio, does not deny that Modena was correct in saying that one can be a full Jew even if uncircumcised(even a born Jew , if his lack of circumcision is due to sickness), but he says that circumcision is a vital commandment and should be obeyed(see also p. 230).

All the above debate is significant and must have some bearing on our attitude in the matter of requiring circumcision of proselytes. Nevertheless, there is, I believe, a difference in attitude toward tradition between us and our predecessors. The official report signed by Isaac M. Wise begins with a statement of a basic principle, namely, that our religious life is based upon the Pentateuch . Even though we may interpret it somewhat differently from other Jews , it is the Pentateuch which unites us with the rest of Jewry. In other words, it was the tendency of the early Reformers to go back to origins. Therefore, it was of weighty importance to them that the Bible itself, and also the Mishnah, has no clear requirement of initiatory rites for proselytes. 1 believe that

our standpoint is different, though we may not have formulated it as clearly as they did their standpoint. The total tradition is vital to us as guidance, at least, if not as rigid governance. Therefore it is important to us that the Talmud and Maimonides and the Shulhan Arukh(Yoreh Deah 268) have circumcision as a firmly established law and that, therefore, it is the widespread practice of

our people to circumcise proselytes. The fact that these laws are post-Biblical and post-Mishnaic has no strong importance for us, at least not as strong an importance as it did for our predecessors.

e for our own decision,

Therefore, the matter remains as on j The American Reform

based upon our feelings in the matter. Jor movement, because of the early decision, has long ceased to insist upon circumcision for proselytes. What English Jewry po 3 depends upon its conscience. If it seems contrary to the ritual, them do as we did two generations ago. It might be noted that the

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