13 Tenets of Modern Post Hamburg Reform Judaism:

Rationalism, mysticism, and progressive revelation while preserving Jewish continuity.

1. Torah as a Living Covenant – The Torah is divine yet dynamic, interpreted in every generation according to wisdom and evolving human consciousness.
2. Progressing Revelation – Just as the Divine revealed truth in past eras, wisdom continues to unfold through reason, history, and mystical insight.
3. The Written and Oral Torah are Both Valid, Yet Not Infallible – Karaite textual authority is respected, but Talmudic traditions are honored where they align with reason and spiritual truth.
4. Halakha as a Guide, Not a Shackle – Jewish law is a sacred inheritance but must evolve through moral conscience, science, and spiritual inquiry.
5. Emunah v’Chakirah (Faith and Inquiry) – The search for truth requires balancing faith with rational and mystical exploration.
6. Shekhinah in Action – The Divine Presence is realized through ethical action, justice, and spiritual devotion.
7. Tikkun Olam is a Mystical and Ethical Duty – The world is broken and must be healed through justice, wisdom, and acts of kindness.
8. Free Will & Divine Providence Coexist – While humans shape their own destiny, divine guidance operates through history and personal experience.
9. Rejection of Literal Messianism, Embrace of Collective Redemption – The Messiah is not a person but an era ushered in by human enlightenment and divine guidance.
10. Sacred Diversity in Thought and Practice – No single interpretation of Torah is absolute; unity is found in shared purpose, not uniformity of belief.
11. The Cosmos Reflects Divine Wisdom – Kabbalah’s mystical insights harmonize with modern science, revealing the sacred in nature and consciousness.
12. Judaism is a united peoplehood—conversion is welcomed for sincere seekers, and all who embrace Jewish wisdom become part of the collective family.

*The Ethical Must Always Override the Ritual – Commandments serve moral elevation; any law conflicting with justice, dignity, or compassion must be reconsidered

1. Torah as a Living Covenant

The Torah is the foundational document of Jewish identity, yet its authority does not lie in static literalism but in its ability to speak to each generation. Like a tree whose roots nourish its ever-growing branches, the Torah’s essence remains unchanged, but its teachings must be interpreted anew as society and knowledge evolve. The ancient Israelites received the Torah in their own historical and cultural context, but divine wisdom is not confined to the past—it unfolds in dialogue with the present.

Just as the Oral Torah emerged to expand on the Written Torah, so too must modern Judaism embrace interpretative evolution. This means that while the text remains sacred, our understanding of it must grow alongside advances in ethics, science, and human consciousness. The covenant between God and the Jewish people is an ongoing relationship, not a relic of history. A living Torah must be read with an open mind, balancing tradition with fresh insight.

This Jewish approach upholds a reverence for the Torah but rejects fundamentalism that denies new wisdom. It encourages study that integrates historical-critical methods, ethical philosophy, and mystical insight. Torah is not a set of frozen laws, but a spiritual discipline meant to refine character, uplift society, and reveal divine presence in an ever-changing world.

2. Progressing Revelation

The belief in progressing revelation affirms that divine wisdom is not confined to a single moment in history. God’s voice did not fall silent at Sinai; rather, it continues to echo through human reason, ethical insight, and spiritual experience. Just as the prophets brought new moral imperatives beyond the laws of Moses, later sages refined and expanded Jewish thought, and this evolution must not cease.

Revelation occurs in multiple forms: in the study of Torah, in scientific discovery, in historical events, and in the personal experiences of those who seek truth. This principle allows Judaism to remain relevant, as moral progress and knowledge refine our understanding of God’s will. For example, just as biblical slavery was later abolished by rabbinic rulings, so too must modern Jews reexamine outdated halakhic positions on issues like gender, sexuality, and justice.

By embracing progressing revelation, one avoids the rigidity of fundamentalist traditions while maintaining a deep commitment to divine truth. It challenges you to be active participants in the unfolding wisdom of creation, using both tradition and modernity to illuminate their spiritual path. The Talmud states, “The Torah is not in heaven” (Bava Metzia 59b)—meaning divine wisdom is now entrusted to human interpretation.

3. The Written and Oral Torah are Both Valid, Yet Not Infallible

Unlike Karaite Judaism, which rejects the Oral Torah, or Orthodox Judaism, which elevates it to near-infallibility, we recognize both as vital yet evolving expressions of Jewish wisdom. The Written Torah provides the foundation, while the Oral Torah—including the Mishnah, Talmud, and later rabbinic teachings—serves as an ongoing conversation, offering ethical and legal insight for changing times.

However, human interpretation is never perfect. Rabbinic rulings were shaped by their historical context and must be reconsidered in light of new moral understandings. For example, the Talmud’s teachings on women’s roles or the status of non-Jews reflect their era, not eternal divine truth. One should study Talmud and midrash with deep respect but not view them as beyond critique.

Instead of rigid adherence, this approach fosters an active engagement with tradition, using both reason and reverence. It honors the Oral Torah as a sacred guide, yet acknowledges that just as past sages debated and reformed Jewish law, so too must modern Jews continue this sacred task.

4. Halakha as a Guide, Not a Shackle

Jewish law, or halakha, serves as a path to holiness but must not become an instrument of oppression or stagnation. Its purpose is to refine character, build community, and connect individuals to the divine, not to impose burdens without meaning. While halakha has preserved Jewish identity for millennia, it must evolve alongside ethical and spiritual progress.

Halakha should be followed where it enhances moral and spiritual life but reinterpreted where it conflicts with justice. For example, traditional kashrut laws may be observed as a discipline in mindfulness, but prohibitions rooted in ancient purity codes—such as restrictions against LGBTQ+ individuals—must be abolished. The principle of pikuach nefesh (saving a life) teaches that laws must serve humanity, not vice versa.

Rather than viewing Jewish law as an unchanging decree, it as a sacred yet flexible framework. It values customs that inspire holiness while allowing personal and communal discernment to determine which traditions remain relevant. In this way, halakha becomes a living, breathing path toward divine connection rather than a relic of the past.

5. Emunah v’Chakirah (Faith and Inquiry)

Faith and intellectual inquiry are not opposites but partners in the search for truth. Judaism has always been a tradition of questioning, from Abraham’s challenge to God over Sodom to the endless debates of the Talmudic sages. A faith that fears questioning is weak; a faith that embraces inquiry is alive.

This sect upholds the mystical insights of Kabbalah alongside the rationalism of Maimonides, encouraging believers to seek truth through philosophy, science, and personal reflection. It rejects the notion that faith requires blind obedience; instead, faith is strengthened by honest exploration. Doubt is not a sin but a sacred step in the journey toward deeper understanding.

Jewish tradition teaches that “both these and those are the words of the living God” (Eruvin 13b), meaning multiple perspectives can hold divine truth. This sect encourages members to study widely—across religious traditions, scientific disciplines, and spiritual practices—trusting that all wisdom ultimately leads back to the Source.

6. Shekhinah in Action

The Shekhinah—the divine presence—is not confined to the synagogue or the study hall; it is found in acts of justice, kindness, and ethical living. In Kabbalistic thought, Shekhinah is the feminine aspect of God, dwelling in the world and yearning for repair. Every mitzvah, every act of compassion, brings the Shekhinah closer to wholeness.

Ritual alone is insufficient if it does not lead to ethical action. Prayer and study must translate into tangible deeds—feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and defending the oppressed. Holiness is not found in words alone but in the transformation of society.

By seeing the Shekhinah in every person and moment, one cultivates a spirituality grounded in action. It teaches that when we act with love and justice, we become vessels for divine presence. The true measure of a Jewish life is not how many prayers are recited but how much kindness is brought into the world.

7. Tikkun Olam is a Mystical and Ethical Duty

Tikkun Olam, the “repair of the world,” is not simply a social responsibility but a mystical obligation. In the teachings of the Ari (Rabbi Isaac Luria), creation was shattered at its inception, and humanity’s task is to gather the divine sparks scattered throughout existence. Every act of justice and kindness restores a fragment of divine light, bringing the world closer to redemption.

We embrace Tikkun Olam as both a spiritual and ethical principle. Fighting poverty, advocating for human rights, and protecting the environment are not optional moral stances but essential Jewish commandments. The Torah repeatedly calls for justice—”Justice, justice you shall pursue” (Deut. 16:20)—and this pursuit is a sacred act. Even small gestures, such as honesty in business or welcoming strangers, are part of the cosmic repair.

Unlike some interpretations of Tikkun Olam that focus only on activism, it is also seen as an inward journey. Healing the world requires healing the self—overcoming ego, hatred, and apathy. The work of repair is both external and internal, and those who engage in it participate in God’s ongoing act of creation.

8. Free Will & Divine Providence Coexist

The tension between free will and divine providence is a central paradox of Jewish thought. If God is omniscient, how can human beings have true freedom? This sect reconciles the two by viewing divine providence as an ever-present but non-coercive force. God does not dictate human choices but provides opportunities, moments of insight, and subtle guidance.

Life is filled with crossroads, and while individuals are free to choose their paths, divine presence operates through the patterns of history and personal experience. The Talmud states, “Everything is foreseen, yet free will is given” (Pirkei Avot 3:15). This means that while God knows all possibilities, human beings still shape their destinies.

This perspective encourages active engagement with life rather than passive reliance on fate. It teaches that prayer, meditation, and ethical living align one’s will with the divine flow, allowing individuals to perceive and participate in God’s unfolding plan. In this way, free will is not in conflict with providence but part of a greater harmony.

9. Rejection of Literal Messianism, Embrace of Collective Redemption

Rather than awaiting a personal Messiah, these tenets see redemption as a collective human effort. Traditional messianic beliefs often focus on a miraculous figure who will arrive to solve humanity’s problems. We regard the teachings of sages like Maimonides, who emphasized that the Messianic Age is one of peace, wisdom, and justice—brought about by human action.

Redemption is not an event but a process. Every ethical act, every pursuit of justice, and every moment of wisdom brings the world closer to the Messianic Age. This view aligns with prophetic teachings that envision a future where “nation shall not lift up sword against nation” (Isaiah 2:4). The Messiah, in this sense, is not a single person but the sum of humanity’s moral and spiritual progress.

This belief shifts responsibility from passive hope to active engagement. Rather than waiting for a supernatural figure, we encourage others to be builders of redemption, to bring divine presence into the world through their actions. In doing so, they fulfill the ultimate vision of Judaism: a world where holiness and justice are fully realized.

10. Sacred Diversity in Thought and Practice

Judaism has never been monolithic; it has thrived through diversity. From the debates of Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai to the coexistence of rationalists and mystics, Jewish tradition embraces multiple paths to truth. This sect affirms that no single interpretation of Torah is absolute and that unity is found in shared purpose, not uniformity of belief.

Different Jewish movements, philosophies, and personal spiritual paths are all seen as valid expressions of the covenant. Just as the Talmud records multiple opinions rather than enforcing one, so too should modern Judaism celebrate its diversity. This openness extends beyond Judaism, recognizing that truth can be found in other religious and philosophical traditions as well.

We encourage respectful dialogue and study across all streams of Judaism and beyond. It views disagreements not as divisions but as part of a sacred dialectic that enriches understanding. By embracing multiple perspectives, it seeks to embody the wisdom of the Talmudic principle: “These and those are the words of the living God.”

11. The Cosmos Reflects Divine Wisdom

The universe is not separate from God but a manifestation of divine wisdom. Jewish mysticism teaches that creation itself is a divine text, filled with hidden meaning. The study of nature, science, and philosophy is therefore not a secular pursuit but a form of Torah study.

This belief aligns with Maimonides’ view that knowledge of the natural world enhances knowledge of God. Just as the psalmist declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:2), so too does modern science reveal deeper aspects of divine order. Whether in physics, biology, or cosmology, every discovery is a glimpse into the sacred architecture of existence.

We encourage an integration of scientific understanding with spiritual insight. Rather than seeing faith and reason as opposites, it views them as complementary. The more we understand the cosmos, the more we understand the divine mystery that sustains it.

12. Judaism is a peoplehood

Judaism is more than a religion—it is a united peoplehood bound by shared ancestry, covenant, memory, and destiny. While observance and spiritual commitment are vital aspects of Jewish life, they exist within the broader framework of a people deeply connected across generations and continents.

Belonging to the Jewish people is not solely defined by religious practice or belief, but by participation in a collective identity shaped by history, culture, and mutual responsibility. Whether by birth or by choice through conversion, joining the Jewish people means becoming part of a living, breathing community that carries forward the story of Israel.

This perspective honors both the diversity within Jewish expression and the unshakable unity of the Jewish people as a whole. It affirms that Judaism is not just a set of teachings—it is a shared inheritance, a family, and a nation with a sacred mission in the world.

* The Ethical Must Always Override the Ritual

Jewish law and practice are meant to elevate the human soul, not to serve as an end in themselves. When ritual conflicts with ethical truth, ethics must take precedence. The prophet Micah states, “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). This is the core of Judaism

While traditional observances are respected, they are not upheld when they contradict justice and compassion. For example, laws that exclude or discriminate are rejected, and practices that uplift human dignity are emphasized. This follows the Talmudic teaching that “great is human dignity, for it overrides a prohibition in the Torah” (Berakhot 19b).

By prioritizing ethics over rigid legalism, one ensures that Judaism remains a force for good in the world. Ritual is valuable when it deepens spirituality and community, but it must never be allowed to justify harm. The ultimate measure of a mitzvah is its impact on human and divine relationships.