Kaplan and Reform Judaism

Kaplan’s basic view is that Reform Judaism set out to bridge the gap between modernity and Judaism, and failed and his version is the next attempt. He refers to change coming about though a process of trial- and- error a few times- he simply feels that Reform Judaism was the first attempt and his is one that has learned from RJ’s failings and should therefore supersede it. As he says on pg 151- “It should have reformed the Jew before it attempted to reform Judaism”

In the later passage Kaplan stresses the need for mitzot and our interpretation of the Bible to change and adapt with modernity. He concedes that this is what RJ set out to do,but he argues that RJ tried and failed and now it is time for yet another attempt (which he of course believes will be successful).