CCAR RESPONSA
New American Reform Responsa
86. Hindus and Jews
QUESTION: Several members of the Brotherhood have established good relations with a number of Hindu businessmen. They have invited them to various Brotherhood functions at the synagogue which have taken the form of lectures, meals or simply attending a Jewish service. The Hindu businessmen have responded and have asked members of the Brotherhood to attend various Hindu rituals. Now, some members have been asked to participate in those rituals. What are the limits of such participation? (David Deutsch, Trenton NJ)ANSWER: The ancient Hindu religion contains some fine philosophical writings as well as many fascinating insights into the human condition. However, its popular worship with a large pantheon of deities is polytheistic. Some Hindu thinkers view these manifestations as related to a single dominant life giving force, however, it is not at all clear whether this is the interpretation accepted by most adherents. It would certainly be wrong for us to participate in a polytheistic ceremony of any kind. There is no barrier to watching the ceremony, hearing about it from those who are conducting it and maintaining a general atmosphere of friendship with adherents of the Hindu religion. We can not go beyond this and must refrain from any kind of participation. My own discussions with Hindus has indicated that such restraint on our part will be accepted and viewed as the normal reaction of our religion. We should also not ask Hindus to participate in a specifically Jewish service, but should be content to establish good relationships and a mutual understanding of each others ways. In all of these discussions we should remember that it took a very long time before Judaism was willing to acknowledge Christianity as a monotheistic religion as we were not sure of the status of the Trinity (W. Jacob Contemporary American Reform Responsa pp 250ff). We may wish to review our stance toward the Hindu religion at another time when the nature of the Hindu religion practiced in North America has become clearer. At the present time we should not participate in such a service in any way.February 1989
If needed, please consult Abbreviations used in CCAR Responsa.