BRANCHES OF JUDAISM
HASSIDISM
Hassidic Jews are sometimes referred to as ultra-Orthodox. They strictly adhere to the teachings and laws of the Torah as well as the Kabbalah. This movement began in the late 18th Century in the Ukraine and southern Poland. It stresses one's inner service to God rather than cultural and religious ritual. Individual communities are led by a Righteous One (Tsaddik). Hassidic Jews wear traditional clothing (ie. men would always wear a Kippah, have beards, and scrolled side burns. Women would always wear modest clothing)
ORTHODOX
The word Orthodox means, "correct" or "strict".
-the 613 laws of the Torah must be unquestioningly followed because they are God's words given to Moses
-the Talmud is also strictly followed
-men wear kippahs all day long and attend synagogue prayers 3 times/day
-men and women worship separately (as it was in the ancient temple)
-post secondary education is not encouraged for women
-children attend Hebrew schools
PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM
1. REFORM -- began in Germany in the early 1800s and spread to Britain and the USA. Men do not wear the kippah all day long. Prayer 3 times/day is not a requirement. Children go to public schools and attend Hebrew school/religious education in the evenings and on weekends. Women as well as men can become a rabbi. Services are conducted in both the local language and in Hebrew.
2. CONSERVATIVE -- broke away from the Reform movement in the late 1800s. Conservative Judaism felt that the Reform movement had gone too far. They wanted to maintain some of the Orthodox traditions. They are considered half way between Reform and Orthodox. Services are conducted in Hebrew. Women are encouraged to join the Rabbinate. They do not attend synagogue services 3 times/day. They put a lot of focus on Jewish History.
3. LIBERAL/RECONSTRUCTIVE -- began in the 1920s in USA by Mordecai Kaplan. This group felt that Conservative Judaism needed to be "reconstructed".
-first Jewish movement to begin in North America
-a personal relationship with God is not possible
-first movement to affirm that secular law takes precedence over Jewish law
-rejects that idea that Jews are God's chosen people
4. SECULAR -- do not adhere to any particular movement
-focus on ethnicity and local culture over religion
-do not regularly attend services at the synagogue
-may celebrate holidays/festivals (Christmas Catholics)
ZIONISM
-refers to the hills outside of Jerusalem
-a Zionist 's plight is to secure and maintain Israel as the homeland of Judaism
-they believe that Judaism is tied to the promise land
-although the concept has been around for centuries, it flourished towards the end of WWII and became a reality on May 14, 1948
-Zionists are willing to fight and die for their religion in order to ensure that Israel remains their homeland.
Hassidic Jews are sometimes referred to as ultra-Orthodox. They strictly adhere to the teachings and laws of the Torah as well as the Kabbalah. This movement began in the late 18th Century in the Ukraine and southern Poland. It stresses one's inner service to God rather than cultural and religious ritual. Individual communities are led by a Righteous One (Tsaddik). Hassidic Jews wear traditional clothing (ie. men would always wear a Kippah, have beards, and scrolled side burns. Women would always wear modest clothing)
ORTHODOX
The word Orthodox means, "correct" or "strict".
-the 613 laws of the Torah must be unquestioningly followed because they are God's words given to Moses
-the Talmud is also strictly followed
-men wear kippahs all day long and attend synagogue prayers 3 times/day
-men and women worship separately (as it was in the ancient temple)
-post secondary education is not encouraged for women
-children attend Hebrew schools
PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM
1. REFORM -- began in Germany in the early 1800s and spread to Britain and the USA. Men do not wear the kippah all day long. Prayer 3 times/day is not a requirement. Children go to public schools and attend Hebrew school/religious education in the evenings and on weekends. Women as well as men can become a rabbi. Services are conducted in both the local language and in Hebrew.
2. CONSERVATIVE -- broke away from the Reform movement in the late 1800s. Conservative Judaism felt that the Reform movement had gone too far. They wanted to maintain some of the Orthodox traditions. They are considered half way between Reform and Orthodox. Services are conducted in Hebrew. Women are encouraged to join the Rabbinate. They do not attend synagogue services 3 times/day. They put a lot of focus on Jewish History.
3. LIBERAL/RECONSTRUCTIVE -- began in the 1920s in USA by Mordecai Kaplan. This group felt that Conservative Judaism needed to be "reconstructed".
-first Jewish movement to begin in North America
-a personal relationship with God is not possible
-first movement to affirm that secular law takes precedence over Jewish law
-rejects that idea that Jews are God's chosen people
4. SECULAR -- do not adhere to any particular movement
-focus on ethnicity and local culture over religion
-do not regularly attend services at the synagogue
-may celebrate holidays/festivals (Christmas Catholics)
ZIONISM
-refers to the hills outside of Jerusalem
-a Zionist 's plight is to secure and maintain Israel as the homeland of Judaism
-they believe that Judaism is tied to the promise land
-although the concept has been around for centuries, it flourished towards the end of WWII and became a reality on May 14, 1948
-Zionists are willing to fight and die for their religion in order to ensure that Israel remains their homeland.