Reply To: Reformed Are Jews?

Midwest-““They’re not even Jewish” business is something that’s fairly new, and only seems to have gained popularity with the current “us vs them” mentality that’s crept into our speech in the last 2-3 decades.”

-the not even jewish business is not a concept, its a matter of fact. If the mother isnt jewish the children are not jewish as we go by the maternal side. So if a Yid ch”v married a non jewish woman, unfortunately those kids are not jewish no matter how jewish they might feel, unless they convert. This is a serious issue and has plagued us throughout the generations. This is why there is an extensive verification of family lineage before one gets married in order to verify they are in fact Jewish by all technicalities.

As far as the us vs them I usually dont hear anyone in the orthodox circles bring up and compare themselves to reform. Its usually just not even relevant and especially nowadays where reform is dwindling down. Secularism and reform mentality is alive and strong, but it doesnt seem as though so many NEW reform synagogues and “schools” are being built in order to further the movement. I could be wrong though.

Also I understand that those with reform background, family, and traditions take this matter personally and might get offended. I hope noone here gets offended, but if you are searching for truth then you have to understand that sometimes what you were brought up with no matter how dear it is to you, may have been wrong and has to be changed. According to Torah, we do NOT evolve the laws,and Orthodoxy is not just the right way, it is the ONLY way. It is precisely the fact that we cling to Torah and its values unchanged, that keeps us alive and is the reason we are still here. The slightest change and the only direction is to sink lower .