The Reform movement was the product of the emancipation in Europe which found fertile ground for growth in the United States and other democratic nations in the late 19
th and 20
th centuries.
The most dramatic difference in Reform Judaism from Orthodox is that Jewish Law is not considered binding. The movement started out merely trying to change the role of liturgy and the sermon, but it met with such opposition from the traditionalist approach that it proclaimed that new times made for a radical transformation.
Born in the era of rationalism, it began in a
universalism and perfectibility of humankind based on the words inspired by the Prophets. However, after the Holocaust, humankind's perfectibility was in great doubt. Accordingly, Reform's goals became less universal and are based on the survival of the Jewish people in its confrontation with modernity.
It approaches a problem by considering what Jewish Law says about it and then applies a modern rational solution. For example, under traditional Jewish law, women were not considered to have the same religious obligations as men. However, Reform thinkers consider as absolute the full equality of women who are permitted and encouraged to partake in religious events as equals and are encouraged to become Rabbis and Cantors(liturgical singers officiating at worship services).
In terms of theology, Reform is very interested in ideas about God (the
Orthodox generally accept God as a given and do not explore the nature of God). There are several schools of thought of God as nature, as infinite, as finite (with limitations) and as existential (mystical and personal), among examples.
Early Reform Thinkers Were Negative toward Jewish Law They made a distinction between ethical and ritual mitzvot, considering the ritual mitzvot as old fashioned. They compared the laws of keeping Kosher(dietary laws) as kitchen Judaism. After the social acceptance of German Jews with Russian and Polish Jews with their more traditional influences and after the Holocaust which shook the ideals of the rational thinkers, they accepted more traditional Judaism as strengthening Jewish survival.
Insofar as Israel is concerned, they call for immigration to Israel for those who wish it, but they maintain that Reform Judaism can be practiced anywhere.
The Reform movement established itself in American through its organizational abilities. It established an organization, the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in 1873, its Rabbinic college (Hebrew Union College) in 1875 and its Rabbinic Association in 1889.