The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-18
THE REFORMED HEBREW CHURCH.
The Platform Adopted by the National Rab-
binnical Convention at PittSburg.

PITTsBURG. Nov. 1.-THE National Rab-
binnical Convention of the Reformed Hebrew
Church. In session here, adopted the following
platform to-day, after lengthy discussion:
In view of the wide divergence of opinion.
and OF conflicting ideas in Judaism to-day, we,
as representatives of Reformed Judaism in
America, in continuation of the work begun at
Philadelphia in 1863 unite upon the following
principles:
"First-We recognize in every religion an attempt
to grasp the infinite and in every mode or
book of revelation held sacred in any religious system
the consciousness of the indweling of God in man.
we hold that Judaism presents the highest concep-
ton OF the God dea taught in our Holy scriptures,
and developed and spirtuazed by the Jewish teach
ers, In accordance with the moral and philosophic
progress of their respective ages. We maintain that
Judaism preserved and defended amidst continual
struggles and trials and under enforced isolation this
GOD idea as the central religious truth for the hum
race.
Second-We recognize in the Bible the record of
the conservation of the Jewish people to its mission
as priest of the God and value it as the most
potent instrument of religious and moral instruction.
We hold that the modern discoveries of scientific
search in the domain of nature and history not
antagonstic to the doctrines of Judaism, the Bible
rejecting the primitive ideas of its age.
Third-We recognize in the Mosaic legislation a
system of training of the Jewish people for its mis-
sion during its national life in Palestine; and to-day
accept as binding only the moral laws and main
tain only such ceremonies elevate and sanctify our
lives but reject all such unadapted to the views
Fourth-We hold that all such Mosaic and rabbin-
ical laws regulate diet, priesty purity and Dress
originated in ages and under influences altogether
foreign to our present mental and spiritual state
They fail to impress the modern jew with spirit of
purity. Their observance in day is apt rather to
obstruct modern spiritual elevation.
F1tth-We recognize in the modern of universal
culture OF heart and intellect the approaching of the
realization of Israels great Messianic hope for the
establishment of the kingdom of truth justice and
peace among all men. We consider ourselves no
longer nation, but religious community, and there
fore expect neither return to Palestine, sacri
hcla worship under the sons of Aaron. nor the re-
storation of any the laws concerning the Jewish state
Sixth-We recognize in Judaism progressive re-
gion ever striving to be in accord with the postu-
ates of reason. We convinced of the utmost
necessity of preserving the historical identity with
great past. We acknowledge that the spirit of
broad humanity of our age is ally and the fulfill
ment of our mission and, therefore. we extend the
hand of fellowship to all who operate with us in the
establishment of the reign of truth and righteousness
among
Seventh-We reassprt the doctrine of Judaism that
the soul of man is immortal grounding this belief on
the divine nature of the human spirit which forever
finds bliss in righteousness and misery in wicked
ness We reject as ideas not rooted in Judaism the
beliefs both in bodily resurrection, and in Gehenna
and Eden (he and paradse abodes for everlasting
Eghth-In full accordance with the spirit of Mo-
STAG legislation which strives to regulate the relation
between rich and poor, deem it duty to partc-
ipae in the great task of modern times to solve the
basis of justice and righteousness the problems pre-
sented by the contrasts and evils of the present
carnations of society
After the adoption of the platform the ques-
ton of the admission of Proselytes without the
rites of circumcision was taken up, and a COM
mittee Of five, consisting of Rabbs Wise, Hirsch
Hahn. Sale and Sonnenschein were appointed
with instructions to report at next years meet
ing
A resolution declaring in favor of Sunday
service, instead of Saturday. provoked heated
discussion. and the matter was laid over until
tomorrow. The idea of holding Sunday service
was generally approved, but the adjustment Of
Saturday service met with determined oppos-
ton