Recently, I was introduced to a local member of the Jewish Community as the Rabbi of Northbrook Congregation Ezra Habonim. The polite lady quickly asked, "Where is your Congregation?" I provided her with the location of the Shul. "Is that the Conservative Synagogue?" she asked without taking a breath. "You must be thinking of Beth Shalom on Walters," I replied. "I am a member of Beth Shalom; I thought your Synagogue was Conservative too." "Our Synagogue is Traditional." Confused by my response, she asked, "Is that like Orthodox?" It was this very experience that led me to this article. I have often had this very experience with people, confusion about the meaning of Traditional Judaism. Traditional Judaism is a Movement very much like Reform or Orthodox. It has a Synagogue organization, a rabbinic movement and a small Yeshiva College. Our Movement is very similar to Liberal Orthodox in that we adhere to many of the same religious principles. We do part company on the issue of separate seating, although that is not the distinction that makes us different. Many Traditional Synagogues have full height Mechitzote. What makes us different is our approach to Judaism and our beginning as a Movement. The Traditional Movement grew out of the Conservative Movement and many of the early leaders were Conservative scholars, teachers and rabbis. Many of these early leaders were originally from the Orthodox Movement and later joined the Conservative Movement to support the ideals of Rav Leiberman, Rav Louis Finklestein and Solomon Schechter. They believed that some of the decisions that came out of the Halacha Committee of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly breached the Conservative Movement's commitment to the conservation of Jewish law. As a result, they formed the Traditional Movement which was originally identified as the Union for Traditional Conservative Judaism, later to become the Union for Traditional Judaism. Some have said that Traditional Judaism is Orthodox "lite," meaning that most things we do are like the Orthodox, but on some of the more stringent observances we are more lenient. Since the beginning of the Traditional Movement, a lot has changed in the Jewish Religious world. The right wing Orthodox Community has become more zealous about their observances. Some of the Orthodox Community have become more liberal by looking for ways to release themselves from the bonds of Halacha in support of more liberal practices. In the Reform Movement, the traditional Reform prayer book is the one that opens right to left; the non-traditional prayer book opens left to right. The Conservative Movement speaks about traditional egalitarian services referring to universal participation in a service that models traditional liturgical services. However the use of traditional in these contexts has to do with the practitioners' comfort. Comfort is desirable in Traditional Judaism, but a little discomfort is also desirable. It is the discomfort that helps us take the next step up the mountain according to Rabbi Michel Twerski. Adherents of Traditional Judaism commit themselves to "Torah MiSinai" (the Torah given at Sinai). This principle commitment changes the concept of our vision of Torah. The Torah was brought down from the heavens by G-d to Moshe. The words are the infallible words of G-d. They have no relationship to time or generation; they are intended for every time and every generation. The issue for Traditional Judaism is not the fallibility of G-d but the frailty of mankind. In Traditional Judaism, no Mitzvah is deemed irrelevant. Mankind may be reluctant to fulfill a mitzvah like the commandments concerning Karbonose and the Holy Temple. However, the readiness of G-d to receive mankind's service is never in question. In Traditional Judaism there is no debate about the influence of the Prophets or the Writings. We believe that G-d is "Borei Olam" (Creator of Heaven and Earth) and as such is not limited in vision or mission, and therefore, the laws of the Torah are not limited to time or space. The laws of Torah are intended for mankind no matter what the day, hour or place. Circumstance can dismiss our responsibility to Jewish law when life is directly threatened, and even then, it requires serious discourse by competent scholars. The fact that women are not counted to the Minyan or called to the Torah for an Aliyah, is not the feature that makes our Shul a Traditional Congregation. The lack of a Mechitzah is also not what makes our Congregation Traditional. Traditional Judaism is the ever persistent effort to improve our service to mankind through our observance of Mitzvote. As in any relationship, surrendering our connection diminishes our relationship. Our relationship with G-d is through the practice of the Mitzvote; to preserve our relationship, we must preserve the Mitzvote. Traditional Judaism encourages us to make every effort to fortify our relationship with G-d through Torah study and practice. We are very fortunate to have Rabbi Karsh and the Torah Learning Center as an easily accessible resource for growth through Torah Study. Reb Yehoshua is here for those who wish to learn the simplest and most basic Jewish concepts or for those who wish to study the most advanced Talmud Study. Learn why it is important to fulfill the mitzvote before dismissing them as irrelevant. Join me in supporting the values of Traditional Judaism with LiMudei Kodesh-the study of G-d's Holy Torah. Peter Mehler is the rabbi of Northbrook Congregation Ezra Habonim a Traditional Congregation associated with The Union for Traditional Judaism (UTJ). Rabbi Mehler is a Board Member of the UTJ and Executive Committee Member of Morashah The Rabbinic Fellowship of UTJ. Rabbi Mehler is married to Rebbetzin Barbie Mehler and they have four grown children.