About Us
Temple Without Walls is a community in pursuit of that which is true and good. Our perspective and commitments are Jewish. However, we will continually investigate the meaning of the words “Jew” and “Jewish.”
We might inherit the name “Jew,” or we might choose it by joining a community. It is not because God made us so. It is not because of divine revelation and its blessings or its curses.
We begin with the perspective that Torah is a human creation. It is not revealed by God. It is, perhaps, the long record of our search for understanding the universe through two thousand years preceding the Common Era. We accept the fact that there can be inspiration and insight in ancient writings. We do not accept them as essentially and forever true.
The knowledge we now have about the universe shifts our perspective. It is not that traditional religious beliefs are necessarily invalid, but that the body of knowledge humanity has of the universe compels a serious revision and review.
The new revelations of the nature of the universe, the fracture of community ties, the revolution in electronic communication and the expansion of personal freedom compel us to seek meaning and community in unorthodox ways.
Yes, we carry an identity, a name which bears testimony to the tenacity of human spiritual striving. However, the evolution of knowledge now demands a revolution in religious thought before we sink completely into irrelevance.
Temple Without Walls is not, therefore, an attempt to adjust old teachings to new knowledge and insight. This is not an effort to fit an old hat to a new head. This is not an attempt to reform, reconstitute or re-establish any variety of “tradition.”
The traditions of the rabbis and of the Jewish Religions which came before them do not hold sway over us. We are really trying something new.
Perhaps, most importantly this is a place of peace. We will welcome dialogue and disagreement. We will, however, reject and refuse to publish that which is personal and negative. The only heat permitted here will be that excitement and energy which occurs when the proverbial “light” goes on. Then, we can hope to engage in productive dialogue and the advancement of understanding, good-will and hope.
