Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Reform Judaism
(2,218 words)

1. Definition

Reform Judaism is a movement within Judaism that emerged in the 19th century, initially in Germany; its goal was to adapt the traditional religion to the challenges of the late modern period. In addition to the term Reform Judaism, we also find the terms liberal and progressive Judaism. The movement, though, is substantially earlier than the name. The initial intent was not to form a new independent group but only to correct certain phenomen…

Cite this page
Haußig, Hans-Michael, “Reform Judaism”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 29 March 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_026308>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20210107



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