Masorti is the Hebrew word for tradition and Masorti Judaism has been defined as “enlightened committed Judaism for today’s person in today’s world”. Masorti is traditional Judaism practised in a spirit of open-minded enquiry and tolerance.

The basic beliefs of a Masorti Jew are therefore no different than those of traditional Judaism. We believe in a God who created the world. We believe in a covenant between God and the people of Israel. We believe that we are commanded, as part of that covenant, to live a special lifestyle, as spelled out in the Torah and articulated in halacha (Jewish law). We accept that this law is defined by the classical books of the rabbis: the Mishnah, the Talmud, and thereafter refined though the codes and responsa.

The main principle that distinguishes Masorti Judaism from Orthodox Judaisim is that Masorti Judaism does not believe that the Torah in its present form was revealed to Moses. Instead we accept the legal, archaeological, literary and linguistic evidence that indicates that the Torah came into being over a significant period of time and was composed from particular historical perspectives. What role do the results of modern studies, particularly in the fields of history, archaeology, bible scholarship and literature play in the understanding of our tradition? The Masorti approach to this question is that the results of these sciences cannot be ignored. Indeed, they must be used to inform our religious beliefs, in order to help us to understand our tradition better. This means that, although we believe in the same things as Orthodox Judaism, how we understand those things is influenced by the findings of modern science and modern thought.

Given the principles of Masorti Judaism as set out above, the boundaries that define a Masorti community are:

Being governed by halacha: Current and future practice must be anchored in halacha. Where there is a problem relating to the interpretation of halacha the ultimate authorities for a Masorti community are the Masorti Bet Din.

Being open to modern scholarship: This includes archaeology, biblical scholarship, science (including evolution).

Being open to change: Recognising that change has happened in the past (as proved by modern scholarship) and can happen in the future i.e. a willingness to look at arguments for change.

Believing that tradition matters but accepting that sometimes change is required in order to preserve tradition.

* People who enjoy a community with a traditional flavour (i.e. both the synagogue and the services feel traditional and authentic) but who also want to feel fully part of the outside secular world.

* People who expect their synagogue to be a place where they can question and grow, and learn from others.

* People who are inclusive, show tolerance to others, and who themselves want to be accepted wherever they may be.

Services: these are traditional Ashkenazi services with only a limited use of English. Masorti Jews follow the standard traditional prayer book and read the Torah according to the annual cycle. In general, there is very little difference between a service in a Masorti synagogue and that in any other traditional synagogue.
Seating and female participation in services: While practice on seating varies, women are counted as part of the minyan and can say the Mourner's Kaddish in their own right at all Masorti communities. The degree of actual involvement in the service varies according to the wishes of the membership of the individual communities.
Management: Women enjoy full voting rights as synagogue members and can be elected Chair of their synagogue, even though in some synagogues women may not be eligible for the posts of Warden or Shammas.
Kashrut: Any food or drink provided by the synagogue or consumed at a synagogue event must meet kashrut standards.
Life Cycle: all stages of the life cycle are marked. Thus Brit Milah, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Marriage and finally burial are all carried out in accordance with halachah.

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