CCAR RESPONSA
New American Reform Responsa
85. A Non-Denominational Service with a Peace Pipe
QUESTION: A service which stresses peace and disarmament for both the Soviet Union and the United States has included the American Indian ritual of the peace pipe as well as rituals of the Hindu and Shinto religions. Should we participate in such a service? (Karen Fine, Philadelphia PA)ANSWER: Our relationship with other religions has been divided into two categories. Those which we consider monotheistic and those which are idolatrous. Christianity and Islam have been considered monotheistic for more than a thousand years (W. Jacob Contemporary American Reform Responsa #167). Despite these friendly views, all of the traditional authorities made it quite clear that major distinctions continue to exist between them and Judaism. Maimonides felt that we should restrict our relationships with Christians (Yad Hil Akum 10.2) and also prohibited Jews from dealing in Christian wine (Yad Hil Maakhalot Asurot 17). He and all the other medieval authorities thought that both Christianity and Islam had strange concepts (shituf) which impinged on the absolute unity of God (Isserles to Shulhan Arukh Orah Hayim 156; Maimonides Peer Hador 50, etc). In secular relationships Christians could be treated as benei noah, but in religious matters, distinctions were to remain. The factors outlined above have provided a Jewish basis for good Jewish-Christian relationships in the last centuries. They have enabled us to participate in many joint social and charitable programs. American Reform Jewish practice has permitted participation in interfaith services which remain neutral and are non-Christological. We have also participated in Christian services when our participation is limited to our presence, Biblical readings, or a sermon to promote good relationships. Reform rabbis have participated by their presence and some appropriate words in the installation of bishops or ministers, the dedication of new churches and other services as a gesture of friendship. Such relationships with Christianity have led to common Thanksgiving Services, Memorial Day tributes, and patriotic services on the Fourth of July. In each of these services the prayers dealt with the specific occasion and were not tied to the theology or ritual of either Judaism or Christianity. As the number of followers of other religions in America increases and as we have more and more contact with Hindus, Buddhists, Shintos, etc., we must work out a relationship with them as well. This will depend on the specific form of each religion which has been transferred to North America. Each contains both polytheistic and monotheistic tendencies. There is no problem about a common celebration of national holidays with representatives of these religions. We should stipulate that no specific rites or prayers which we would consider inappropriate be included, for example Hindu prayers to various deities or prayers to Buddha or any of the Bodhisattvas. We are not willing to participate in services which are polytheistic. This would hold equally true for the ritual of the peace pipe which according to my reading represents not only the common smoking of a pipe among the participants in an effort to create friendship among them, but is also an invocation of American Indian deities. This is inappropriate; we should not participate in such a service.November 1990
If needed, please consult Abbreviations used in CCAR Responsa.