Yitro – English
Parashat Yitro – Standing at Sinai as Progressive Jews
Rabbi Dr. René Pfertzel
In their historical introduction of The Reform Judaism Reader (2001), W. Meyer and W. G. Plaut wrote, “there is a sense in which Judaism was always Reform Judaism and Orthodoxy represents a deviation from the tradition” (p. VII). Whatever one makes of this polemical claim, a historical reality underlies it: Judaism has always been an evolving phenomenon. That is precisely the meaning of “progressive”, in expressions such as “progressive revelation”, or “progressive Judaism”.
2026 is an important year in the history of the Jewish progressive movement, which traces its lineage to the events described in our weekly parasha, Parashat Yitro, the parasha of the Revelation.
On the 1st of January 2026, a new Movement for Progressive Judaism was officially born in the United Kingdom. Two movements, Liberal Judaism and Reform Judaism decided to merge and to bring together their resources and their creative energy. Over the years, the differences have diminished, to the point that members of the various synagogues feel at home in other places, except maybe for the prayer books used in both.
In June 2026, the World Union for Progressive Judaism, which was formed in London in 1926, will gather in the city of its birth to commemorate its first century of existence. Or is it only one century? I believe that our weekly parasha contains already all the ingredients of a “progressive” Judaism, that is the capacity to evolve, to adapt, and to be relevant in every generation.
The Torah tells us, “They took their stand at the bottom of the mountain” (Exodus 19: 17). The Midrash expands this idea and claims that “all the souls were there, even though their bodies had not yet been created” (Tanchuma, Nitzavim 3). And another Midrash to expand this further: “At Mount Sinai, the prophets of each and every generation received what they were to prophesy in the future” (Exodus Rabbah 28: 6). The implication is profound: everything that would later unfold in Jewish tradition was already present at Sinai in potential form. The interpretations of the Rabbis, the insights of medieval commentators, the innovations of progressive Judaism, all were contained within the original moment, waiting for their proper time of revelation. And that is the essence of progressive revelation. The Torah does not change arbitrarily, and its fullness exceeds what any single generation can comprehend. Each age receives what it is ready to receive. Each community draws forth what was always already there.
Another Midrash (I love stories!) tells us, “When God’s voice came forth at Mt Sinai, it divided itself into 70 human languages, so that the whole world might understand. Each and every nation would hear a voice in the language of that nation” (Exodus Rabbah 5:9).
Across Europe, and indeed across the entire world, our communities differ greatly in languages, historical backgrounds and wounds, the complexity of their own country, and the uniqueness of their traditions. And yet, Progressive Jews across the five continents share the same views, that revelation is an ongoing process, that Torah speaks to each generation in its own language, that standing together matters, and that our covenant with God is one of mutual relationship, of partnership in the betterment of the world.
I would like to suggest that in the future, Shabbat Yitro becomes the “Shabbat for Progressive Judaism”, when we gather and reflect on our achievements, when we take pride of the light we are bringing into this world, and take stock of all the work that still needs to be done, as God’s partners in the eternal work of Tikkun Olam.
Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel is the rabbi of Maidenhead Synagogue, United Kingdom. Originally from France, Rene was ordained by Leo Baeck College in 2014. He holds a PhD specialising in textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible.
