neology

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(lit. "new doctrine"). Term originally used to designate the Hungarian version of Reform Judaism. Following the example set by Aaron Chorin at the beginning of the 19th century, Leopold Löw (1811-1875) and other modernist rabbis exerted pressure for educational, religious, and communal reforms. They also delivered patriotic sermons in Hungarian and gave enthusiastic support to the revolution of 1848. At that time, some radicals proposed establishing a new temple in Pest on German Reform lines, but the Neologists put an end to this scheme in the interests of communal unity. They were, however, in favor of a modern rabbinical seminary and of synods attended by rabbis and laymen which would reorganize and regulate Hungarian Jewish life. Both proposals met with fierce opposition from the Orthodox, most of whom followed the ruling of Moses Sofer that innovations (even if halakhically permissible) were to be avoided at all costs. Having passed a law emancipating the Jews of Hungary in 1867, the government joined forces with the Neologists of Pest in convening a Hungarian National Jewish Congress (1868-9) at which the Orthodox delegates found themselves in the minority. After objecting to proposed changes in the communal structure and failing to have the Shulḥan Arukh (i.e., rabbinic law) accepted as supremely authoritative, most of the Orthodox representatives withdrew and their opponents were then able to run the Congress as they chose.

In 1871, however, a new law was passed authorizing the creation of separatist Orthodox communities. This measure had the effect of splitting Hungarian Jewry into Neologist, Orthodox, and "Status Quo Ante" (nonaligned traditionalist) communities, a division that lasted until 1950. The Neologists, fearing that an unbridgeable gap would separate Jews from one another, now adopted a policy of reconciliation marked by discreet conservatism. At synagogue services, an Organ might be played, but women sat apart from men and there were no further changes in the prayer book. Neology also maintained Sheḥitah (ritual slaughter) and Kosher food supervision; while the rabbis trained at its Budapest seminary resembled those of West European Orthodox congregations in their scholarship, outlook, and attire. Ideologically, differences with Hungarian ultra-Orthodoxy remained, but a further rapprochement between the two camps (in matters of Jewish education and welfare especially) followed the Holocaust. Today, uniquely in Eastern Europe, both trends coexist within a single central organization, receiving state support, providing rabbis to other former Communist Bloc communities, and reestablishing contact with Jews in the outside world.

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