The Ideology of Modern Orthodoxy

R. Michael J. Broyde has a letter outlining his view of Modern Orthodoxy (here - PDF). He lists three issues as being of particular importance:

1. Religious Zionism - "I accept that the establishment of the State of Israel -- imperfect as it is -- could be the beginning of our redemption, and is an event filled with religious significance, that should be noted accordingly. Furthermore, I think that Jews in Israel and in America -- particularly religious Jews -- should involve themselves in activities of the State of Israel, as the Divine favors Jews being involved in Israel."

2. The Secular World - "I adhere to a philosophy which maintains that there is much of value in the secular world and that it is proper for one to seek out those intellectual pursuits in the secular world that are of worth and to incorporate those consistent with Torah into one's life... More practically, I believe that a Torah-based society is incomplete if it is not predicated on the necessity of productive and economically rewarding work by nearly all of its members."

3. Rabbinic Authority - "I believe that a rabbi or posek earns respect and deference to his authority by demonstrating a comprehension of Torah, its values, and the reality of the world to which Torah is to be applied... However... even the best of Torah scholars or rabbis can make mistakes; there is no obligation to follow their rulings when they are in error."

The irony, of course, is that a large segment of the so-called Yeshivish community agrees with these principles.