Jewish Question (about interpretation of Torah)

[LittlePerson]

I was wondering, could any Jewish people here please help me with this question I have. Are there sects of Jews, perhaps the reform or others who do not always interpret Torah to be literal but figurative or metaphorical? When I studied Judaism for a short time, it was my impression that everything studied was to be taken literally as historical truth, and that the words on the page had physically occured in the manner presented. Are there Jews who don't see Torah or the Bible thusly? Thank you.

[Maggie]

I was wondering, could any Jewish people here please help me with this question I have. Are there sects of Jews, perhaps the reform or others who do not always interpret Torah to be literal but figurative or metaphorical? When I studied Judaism for a short time, it was my impression that everything studied was to be taken literally as historical truth, and that the words on the page had physically occured in the manner presented. Are there Jews who don't see Torah or the Bible thusly? Thank you.

Asked a friend of mine; she's Jewish and teaches Jewish history and Hebrew. She said:

"No, for many, the earlier verses (before Abraham, in particular) are allegory, not literal. The ultra-Orthodox DO consider it ALL the literal truth."

I also asked about who: "In terms of strictness of observance, it goes more or less ultra-Orthodox (including the various Hasidic groups, with Lubavitch being most open-minded, but still very strict in observance), modern Orthodox, Conservative, Reform."

She said there's one more she's heard of, called Reconstruction but she herself doesn't know anything about them. She offered this website about them. http://www.jrf.org/


Maggie

[Ben Trismegistus]

Traditional Judaism does not take the Torah as literal truth. The idea that the Torah is literally true is shared only by the Orthodox and by those who are too lazy to contemplate symbolism.

So, most modern Jews view the Torah as metaphor and mythology.

Reconstructionist Judaism is a relatively recent sect which focuses on a more esoteric style of Judaism - it involves much more communal participation and a wider interpretation of the Torah and Jewish law. It's very cool actually.

[LittlePerson]

Thanks guys.