The Denver Jewish news., 1925-09-17
RELIGION
THE MEANING OF JEWISH
SCIENCE
By RABBI CLIFTON HARDY LEVY

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Syndlcatcb
Many questions have arisen nH 10 whnt
Is the purpose aud meaning Of Jewish
Scleurr. The queries have asked Is Jewish
Science q new cult, why did Il arise. what
vitality does Il possess for Jews aud Judn.
ism: what IN its relation 10 Judaism a- at
present constituted does an acceptance uf
Jewish Science mean q break with organ
ICED Jndaismr
In order 10 answer these questions, the
DENVER JEWISH NEWS have gone To
the best source Of Information on this
subject, Rabbi chiffon ilnrby Levy, the
present sponsor Of the Jewish science move
mcnt. This article has been asked for
merely to present the point Of view uf
Jewish Scientists, by what Rabbi Levy
says, jewish Science Will have TO stand or
fall-TIIE EDITOR.
The searching question In regard TO
Jewish Science is: what are you going
to dof" Every jew Is interested in the
answer to this question. If this move
ment IL of any value it must have
practical program, and be able to carry
II out
1t is necessary in the first instance TO
explain that Jewish Science is totally
different from other new cults, and
especially from Christian Science, of
which some deem II an imitation IL
is claimed that Jewish Science is orig
development OF Judaism, and for that
reason can be genuine only, and no
sham Because Judaism is sane. sen
sihle, and well-poiScd, Jewish Science
keeps Its feet on the ground, while
aspiring to the spiritual heights 20
which Isracl's greatest leaders nave
pointed the way. 1t insists upon being
Jewish and scientific That Is, 1t ac-
cepts all Of the proved results of
science in the field OF psychology or
medicine, and is well aware Of the
necessity OF utilizing all of these re-
suits for the uplift and protection of
humanity. 1t is open-eyed to facts, and
grasps every possible aid to the better
outlook and the finer uplook. Far from
ignoring the physical, or material, jew
ish Science recognizes the Oneness of
man. and works in the light of this
unity so that body. mind and spirit,
joined as they are in men and women,
may all be in rs perfect harmony as
possible 1t recognizes the fact that the
body and mind react upon the spirit
and vice versa, and that only in the
perfected unity may we expect the com
plete attunement which leads to a hap
py, healthful, spiritual life.
Taking its impetus from Judaism,
| this latest development is insis;ent upon
stresSiGg the spiritual clements of the
| faith. 1t can well afford to ignore all
differences of ritualistic performance
| or adherence. recognizing these as per
sistent habits. which have no bearing
upon the real life of the spirit. If
certain ceremonials aid some persons
towards the spiritual. all the better,
If other natures require less of formal
ism, and can attain the Spirit-lifc better
in The most simple forms, it does not
concern us In fact, Jewish Science
should he the great unifying force for
all Israel, catholic Israel, as DIR.
Schechter termed it,
Although it magniies the spiritual
sanction of Judaism, Jewish science
is ever ready to cooperate with the
surgeon and physician, to supply just
the uplift and spirit-powcr which an
suffering men and women need when i'll
We believe that the rabbi and the
doctor must work harmOniously and III
the finest fellowship if the health, hap
pinrss and progress of humanity are to
he insured. To this end, it is sug
gcstcd that the ideal method is The
establishment of clinics for body and
soul in every Jewish community, and
that the most expert physicians and
psychologists work in harmony with
the rabbis to preserve the well-being
of the people at large.
Even where no such clinics are es'
tablished the rabbi of any congrega.