What Are The Major Divisions Of Judaism?
Judaism is a major world religion and is practised by around 14 million people around the world. It has many branches, denominations, and divisions, and it is important to understand these different strands in order to gain insight into the religion as a whole. Here, we will explore the question ‘what are the major divisions of Judaism?’ by looking at each of the major divisions, their distinct beliefs and practices, place in history, and how they differ from one another.
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism is one of the major denominations of Judaism and is one of the largest denominations in the United States and Israel. It has a long history, having been founded in the late 19th century. Conservative Judaism is largely based on a respect for the traditional teachings of the Torah, the rabbinic literature, and the importance of following Halacha (Jewish law). It is open to change and modernization, and they believe in the authority of the rabbis to make decisions on matters of law and tradition.
Conservative Judaism is also known for its leniency on certain aspects of Jewish life. For example, they have adopted practices such as the ordination of women rabbis, the acceptance of non-Jews as members of the congregation, and a more relaxed attitude towards the observance of certain dietary laws.
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism is the largest branch of Judaism, representing around two-thirds or more of all Jews. It is a strict interpretation of traditional Jewish law and believes in strict adherence to Halacha. It is divided into three main streams: Chasidic, Yeshivish, and Modern Orthodox. Chasidic Jews observe a stricter interpretation of the Halacha, while the others two offer different interpretations, especially when it comes to modern issues such as technology or science.
Orthodox Judaism is known for its strict adherence to traditional Jewish practices, such as observing Shabbat, following the dietary laws, and following the Halacha. It is also known for its emphasis on the importance of studying Torah, the importance of prayer and devotion, and its emphasis on community.
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism is the most liberal branch of Judaism and is the largest branch in the United States. It was founded in the early 19th century in an effort to modernise Judaism and to move away from the strictures of traditional Jewish law. Reform Jews believe in a more progressive interpretation of the Jewish faith. They believe in the essential unity of the Jewish people, but focus more on modern ethical teachings than traditional laws.
Reform Jews are known for their acceptance of non-Jewish spouses, the introduction of details about modern culture into services, and their more relaxed attitude towards gender equality, to name but a few examples. They often hold progressive views on social, environmental, and political issues, and are active in the pursuit of justice and human rights.
Reconstructionist Judaism
Reconstructionist Judaism emerged in the early 20th century and is the smallest major denomination of Judaism. They draw from Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox sources to create a modern and inclusive vision of Judaism. They view the fragments of Jewish tradition as a resource for reconstructing and reinterpreting Judaism for the modern world. They reject the idea that Jewish law is unchangeable and instead view Judaism as an evolving tradition. They also emphasise the importance of humanistic values such as social justice and human rights.
Hasidic Judaism
Hasidic Judaism is a subset of Orthodox Judaism and is a more conservative version of the religion. It was founded in the 18th century in Eastern Europe and is known for its unique customs and practices, such as its emphasis on joy, singing, and dancing. It is distinguished by its mystical aspects, its focus on spiritual devotion, and its more extreme practices, such as the rejection of modern technology and its strict observance of Jewish law. Hasidic Jews are easily identifiable by their distinct dress and culture.
Karaite Judaism
Karaite Judaism is a smaller and more isolated branch of Judaism. It is an offshoot of Orthodox Judaism and has its origins in 8th century Iraq. Karaite Jews emphasize the primacy of the Written Torah and reject the Oral Torah in its entirety. They believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible and reject the authority of the rabbis. Karaite Jews also adhere to a stricter interpretation of Jewish law and reject many traditional customs and practices.
Ethical Culture Judaism
Ethical Culture Judaism is a humanistic branch of Judaism which was founded in the late 19th century in New York City. It emphasizes ethical values such as justice, peace, and mutual respect over ritual observances. It is open to people of all backgrounds and is committed to social reform and justice. It emphasizes “doing deeds of loving-kindness” as the highest expression of Jewish life, and it is less focused on the traditional rituals and observances of Judaism.
Hareidi Judaism
Hareidi Judaism is a subset of Orthodox Judaism that is currently the largest branch of Orthodoxy. It was founded in the 19th century in Eastern Europe and emphasizes a more conservative interpretation of the Halacha. They are known for their strict adherence to traditional religious practice and for their refusal to compromise on any matter of Jewish law. They are also known for their strict observance of modesty laws and their emphasis on the study of traditional Jewish texts.
Traditional Judaism
Traditional Judaism is not a denomination of Judaism, but rather a term that is used to describe the practice of the “old ways” or traditional customs and practices of the Jewish people. It encompasses customs that are not necessarily prescribed by Jewish law, but nonetheless play an important role in the life of the Jewish people. It includes practices such as lighting Shabbat candles, keeping a kosher home, and reciting blessings. It is often practiced by more observant and traditional Jews, though it is sometimes adopted by Jews of other denominations as well.
Non-Affiliated Jews
Non-Affiliated Jews are people who do not actively practice any form of organized Judaism. They may still hold certain beliefs or identify in some way as Jewish, but they are not actively involved in any formal Jewish community or institution. Such people have existed throughout Jewish history, and the numbers of non-affiliated Jews have been growing in recent decades.
Religious Zionism
Religious Zionism is a movement within Orthodox Judaism that attempts to reconcile traditional religious beliefs and practices with Zionism and modern Israel. It combines the belief in a sovereign Jewish state with traditional religious beliefs and practices. As such, it emphasizes the importance of observing Jewish law and the importance of Biblical and spiritual values, while embracing modern Israeli culture and the State of Israel. It is a relatively new movement and its influence is growing, especially in Israel.
Humanistic Judaism
Humanistic Judaism is a branch of Judaism that is based on secular principles, such as humanism, reason, and science. It is not strictly a denomination of Judaism, but rather a movement within the larger Jewish community. It is centered on the belief that all human beings have authority and responsibility for shaping their own lives within the context of Jewish history and culture. Humanistic Jews celebrate Jewish holidays, observe traditions and rituals, and take part in communal activities, but do so in a non-theistic context.
