40 Peter Knobel

are interrelated. The interplay among them constitutes the inner dialogue of contemporary Judaism . The terms are never fully defined. In the current intellectual climate in the United States it is the dialogue between autonomy and authority and the desire for Jewish authenticity that place Reform Judaism in a unique position. Since we are open to the new and respectful of tradition, we have an opportunity to be creative and responsive. Our halakhah is nonbinding and pluralistic.

Authority in Reform Judaism is epistemic. The halakhic positions command obedience only in so far as they have the ability to convince the individual or the group that they are wise. Any Reform halakhic position so to speak is an authority but not in authority, because it has no power to coerce.

Autonomy as I understand the way the term is used in Reform Judaism refers to the concept that ultimately individuals are free to choose what they believe and do unencumbered by an external coercive authority.

Mitzvah is the name an individual or group apples to a deed that they believe commands special attention because it is sanctioned by tradition or is in response to a principle derived from tradition and confirms a core value of Reform Judaism. These deeds define individual and group core values and attempt to create or encourage specific practices that demonstrate a commitment to the core values.

Halakhah is the crystallization of an ongoing exercise in exegesis that seeks to provide a reasoned case based on traditional sources as to whether some practice is acceptable or not. This is especially true of the responsa literature produced by the CCAR Responsa committee, individual authorities like