Sects Of Judaism
Judaism is a religion that has evolved to include several distinct sects and variations over the years. Its central belief that there is one single-Persistent Power, or God, has endured. Across the centuries, interpretations of these beliefs have varied and it is this diversification that has created the separation of sects. These sects, while branching off from the primary roots of Judaism, each still strive to focus on its core principles, values, and beliefs.
One of the earliest known sects of Judaism is Orthodox Judaism. This version of the religion is considered to be the most traditional of all the other sects, in which its dogma relies heavily on principles taken directly from the Torah. Orthodox practitioners, when interpreting the Scriptures, put an emphasis on stringent adherence to ancient religious practices. This adherence extends to all aspects of both an individual’s and a group’s life, from prayer, to parenting, to community involvement and more.
Modern Orthodox Judaism, however, is a more lenient variant of its predecessor. Here, some of the customs are not as strictly adhered to, allowing for more leniency when approaching Jewish prayer and religious observances. Although accommodating for the changing times, adherents of Modern Orthodox Judaism still abide by and respect the dietary laws and basic principles set forth in the Torah.
Conservative and Reform Judaism are two other prominent branches of the same religion. Conservative Jews focus on the tradition and historical aspects associated with the law and ceremonies. Reform Jews, as the name suggests, favor a more liberalized interpretation of the religion. This version has seen the domestication of religious ceremonies, a more open inter-faith focus, and an overall emphasis on an individual’s core values and beliefs in relation to the general tenets of Judaism.
A more modern expression of the religion is Renewal Judaism. This approach is centered around a spiritual celebration of Judaism; focusing on such cultural aspects as music and cantillation and worship services that contain elements of Kabbalah and various elements from other branches. It is more inclusive than other sects of Judaism, allowing for the membership of non-Jews who have committed to living according to the values of Judaism.
In more recent years, a movement known as Humanistic Judaism has surfaced. This secular expression of Judaism places emphasis on the culture, values, and history associated with the profession. It views the practices and traditions of Judaism as a source of Pride and reverence, but not necessarily of faith. This concept allows for members who do not necessarily regard God’s existence as an unquestionable truth. Ultimately, this version of Judaism is a personal observance focused on an individual’s commitment to using the values and morals of Judaism to promote social and ethical behavior.
Finally, the last sect of Judaism is called Reconstructionist Judaism. This version acknowledges that Judaism is evolving, transforming, and adapting over time. Becoming a Reconstructionist implies the acceptance of change and the embracement of ever-tweaking laws and traditions, while retaining a foundation of orthodoxy. Here, those following the faith advocate for the redistribution of roles in religious ceremonies, and the overall promotion of modern-day social and political ideologies amongst members, provided that the beliefs associated with these views remains true to the core tenants of Judaism.
Core Values
Though all sects of Judaism are distinct from one another, they all share certain fundamental values known as the ‘613 mitzvot’. These mitzvot are commandments and observances that, together, form the foundation of the religion and guide both the conduct and the behavior of members. They are divided into two categories and address a variety of topics such as belief in the sanctity of human life, honoring one’s parents, maintaining truth and honesty, protecting the widow and orphan, aiding the poor and needy, avoiding slander, and more.
The moral and ethical principles of the religion can be found throughout the Jewish faith. From prayer services to Sabbath observances, to being good and giving to charity, to respecting the opinions of others, there are numerous guidelines that lead members down a path of good will, ethics, and morality. These principles have stood the test of time and are viewed as an integral part of the faith by many adherents.
Other core values that are held universally throughout all sects of Judaism include the belief in a single-representative power or God, living a life of service to this force, and keeping relationships strong with both those of a like-mind and those of a different faith. As a religion, Judaism promotes the promotion of the mutual respectment and understanding of others, while also aiming to improve the lives of individuals and, inadvertently, the world as a whole.
History
The history of Judaism is long, spanning over three thousand years. The religion was founded nearly two thousand years BCE, when Abraham and his descendants (which are known as Israelites) followed and promoted a single-deity belief over all other pagan forms of worship. Over the years, the religion has experienced countless external and cultural influences, from the Assyrian, Babylonian, and Ancient Egyptian Empires, to the Roman occupation and eventual Diaspora.
The different interpretations of the faith and its core values evolved as time marched on and this new facets slowly began forming alliances with each other and developing strong roots. A prime example of this being the availability and recognition of the more liberalized versions of the religion, such as Reform and Conservative Judaism, which were developed during the 18th and 19th century, respectively.
The further separation of the sects appeared during the 20th century, when new generations of believers chose to reformulate the faith, in some cases to make it more lenient or propagate alternative ideals. To this day, the history of Judaism continues to shape it as an ever-evolving faith, forever staying true to its roots while embracing its social and cultural distinctiveness.
Cultural Impact
The impact of this world religion on culture has been co-dynamic in nature, influencing both Judaism and those of other faith traditions alike. As a religion, Judaism’s presence has been felt in the form of art and literature, political movements, religious reformations, philosophical growth and expression, and education.
Judaism also has had a significant impact on the culinary cultures of the countries in which its adherents have settled. Taken as an example, dishes such as bagels and lox, matzo ball soup, challah, and cholent, all have origins in Jewish cuisine. This has been especially true of the Middle Eastern countries in which the religion has flourished, where the flavors and aromas of Jewish cuisine have become staples of the local culture.
Within the realm of socio-cultural activities and forms of entertainment, the influence of Judaism is palpable, often times providing popular films, TV series and Youtube channels with inspiration. From films like Schindler’s List, to comedies such as Keeping The Faith or Formula 401, the impact of this faith is unmistakable.
From its earliest beginnings, to its influence today, this religion has been and will continue to be one of the spiritual guiding forces of the world. Judahism still stands strong, however each sect of the religion is unique in some special way. Ultimately, the differences between each of the sects are part of what makes Judaism an excellent example of a successful, diversified faith.
Traditions And Practices
One of the foundational aspects of Judaism is the principle of “mitzvot”, or moral obligations. These duties are followed by believers of all sects and dictate what is and isn’t permissible for Jews to do. This can include everything from praying three times a day, to celebrating religious holidays, to yearly pilgrimages to Jerusalem.
Other than these traditional observances and duties, the customs on how these practices are expressed and celebrated vary amongst the different sects. For example, while Orthodox and Conservative Jews will usually dress and act according to strict ritual regulations, Reform and Humanistic Jews are often more lenient in their approach.
The beliefs and practices associated with Jewish dietary laws will also vary across the sects. While undoubtedly complex, these laws encompass what, when, and how Jews are able to consume food and drink. While some believe that all such restrictions have to followed to the letter, others will opt for a more relaxed approach.
Finally, another aspect of Judaism that varies depending on the sect, is the Sabbath observance. This event is celebrated to honor the religious cleansing that Jews experienced from their enslavement in Egypt. For Reform and Humanistic Jews, the practices associated with the Sabbath are usually much more relaxed than those of Orthodox or Conservative Jews, who prefer to observe the traditional regulatory rites.
Significance
The evolution of Judaism into the diverse and far-reaching faith it is today has made it a guiding force for many people. Even in its many distinct forms, it still binds together its adherents in a deep sense of shared identity and mutual understanding. The different sects of Judaism have shaped the religious and cultural landscape as believers of the faith have traded and integrated aspects of their beliefs.
The willingness of Jews to embrace change and religious reformations, is a message that can be taken from the diverse array of beliefs that exist. The core principles of Judaism have stood the test of time and this has enabled the culture of this faith to remain strong and vibrant even in the face of adversity.
Whether an individual identifies with one particular sect of Judaism or all of them, the takeaway is an appreciation of the rich history and culture that is embedded in each one. This understanding of cultural diversity, as well as respect for the beliefs of others, will enable those who observe to live according to what the Torah dictates — love.
