'What Can We Say Before You?' : Sincerity in Liberal Jewish Worship

Ash, Robert and Knott, Kim and Carruthers, Jo (2025) 'What Can We Say Before You?' : Sincerity in Liberal Jewish Worship. PhD thesis, Lancaster University.

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Abstract

Before 1800, all sections of the Jewish community used fixed traditional liturgies in synagogue worship. From the beginning of the nineteenth century radical liturgical reforms were implemented. A key question in this process of reform has been whether worshippers should believe what they say when reciting a liturgy. If they do not believe what they recite, does this render their prayer insincere? Liberal Judaism holds that sincerity in worship is of paramount importance. This thesis explores the effects of an overriding commitment to sincerity in worship upon four iterations of Liberal Jewish liturgy published between 1902 and 1995. The background against which liturgical change took place is provided by analysis of the concept of sincerity, in particular its place in Protestant thought, the response of Jewish communities to the challenges of modernity, and biographies of the leaders of the denomination who influenced the editorial choices in Liberal Judaism’s liturgical publications. A parallel view of the articulation and development of Liberal Jewish thought concerning the expression of beliefs in liturgy is provided by analysis of ‘platform’ publications setting out Liberal Judaism’s beliefs and practices. Liberal Judaism’s commitment to sincerity of worship has remained a touchstone in implementing liturgical change. Editors of Liberal Jewish liturgy have recognised that a desire for sincerity in worship poses significant challenges. Some of these are inherent in adapting a liturgical tradition of great antiquity, while others relate to issues of the language of prayer and comprehension by worshippers. These challenges have not been fully resolved. Sincerity is not the sole consideration in editorial decisions. Balancing a commitment to sincerity against a commitment to Hebrew as a language of prayer for a congregation largely made up of non-Hebrew speakers means that the beliefs expressed by the liturgy may be confused, even contradictory.