Peter S. Knobel
The paper seeks to clarify four terms authority, autonomy, mitzvah and halakhah. The understanding of how these four concepts interact is necessary for understanding the way in which Reform Judaism makes decisions. The unique American context of Reform has affected the way in which these terms have come to function in the life of the Movement and in the lives of individual Reform Jews. Each reflects a perception of how decisions are made and what factors count in making such decisions. Since the Movement has no power to coerce and in American society a sense of collective authority has largely faded, the ultimate decisor is the individual. The deracinated individual sees him/herself as fully capable of determining his/her stand on most matters.
The challenge for Reform Judaism specifically and for Judaism in general is to make a compelling case as to why Jewish values and takes should significantly influence the decisions of individuals. Since in the United States Jewish identity and Jewish loyalty is a matter of choice, the Reform movement struggles to influence collective and individual decision making through the use of Jewish texts. The Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah and the Central Conference of American Rabbis(CCAR) Responsa Committee are the primary vehicles for sustained use of classical texts in the arriving at Reform Jewish positions on contemporary issues. In addition publications of the CCAR and the resolutions of the CCAR, Union for Reform Judaism(UR]J), and the Religious Action Center(RAC) determine institution policy and place contemporary social and political issues into a Jewish context.