Origin of Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism is arguably the oldest form of the Jewish religion, dating back to 586BCE and the destruction of Solomon’s Temple. Throughout Jewish history, Orthodox Jews have stayed true to the covenants, ordinances, laws and practices of the written and oral Torah given by God to Moses. Orthodoxy has always been the majority form of Judaism, except in present day. The origins of Orthodox Judaism are based on a combination of scriptural law, coupled with the development and refinement of Jewish law and custom, which form the basic tenets of the religion rituals and tradition.
Meaning of Orthodox Judaism
The term ‘Orthodox Judaism’ literally means ‘like the truth’, and is often referred to as traditional Judaism. It is the lifeblood of the Jewish people, tightly guarding and maintaining their cultural and religious heritage. This form of the faith is associated with a commitment to both the written and oral Torah, as well as with continued study and analysis of the Torah. In addition, all forms of traditional Rabbinic literature and commentaries from the 1st century CE until modern times are seen as an integral part of what is termed ‘the written law’.
Significant Beliefs of Orthodox Judaism
Central to Orthodox Judaism is the belief that God conveyed his truth to Moses on Mount Sinai – known as the ‘Torah from Sinai’. Orthodox Judaism also believes in the divinity of the Torah and that traditional practice, rituals, and familial relationship are not just good ideas, but rather laws from God which must be followed. In addition, Orthodox Jews believe in the afterlife, supernatural retribution and the resurrection of the dead.
Other Practices of Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Jews are required to conform to an extremely detailed set of Jewish laws and rules, such as specific dietary regulations, regular prayer rituals, weekly participation in synagogue services, as well as observing the Shabbat and major Jewish holidays such as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. All of these are firmly upheld by Orthodox Judaism.
Rabbinic Leadership
Orthodox Judaism has traditionally been led by the ‘Rabbi’ – a Hebrew phrase which literally means ‘my teacher’. The rabbi acts as a spiritual and religious healer, as well as a teacher and guide on matters of Torah, Jewish law and custom. The rabbi’s role has evolved over time, to include providing pastoral counsel, financial and legal advice, and social guidance.
Contemporary Issues
In the modern era, there has been ongoing disagreement between the different contemporary sects of Judaism. This is particularly pertinent on issues such as accepting conversion, participation of women in religious activities, and the relevance of traditional Jewish law in comparison to the laws of the country. In addition, the realignment of religious denominations, such as the Conservative and Unity Reform movements, have further caused tension and disagreement within the Orthodox community.
Orthodox Jews in Society
Throughout history, Orthodox Jews have demonstrated a number of principles which set them apart from other Jews. These principles include strong emphasis on family life, pursuit of education, as well as obedience to the Mosaic law. Socio-economically, Orthodox Jews are also distinct, with many leading successful lives in the field of medicine, law and business. In recent decades, Orthodox Jews have become strongly involved in the political process in both local and national issues.
Modernization of Orthodox Judaism
Today, the development of technology has provided numerous opportunities for Orthodox Jews to pursue Jewish education, purchase kosher foods and order traditional worship items online. This has allowed for better access and learnings of their religion. Additionally, the internet has provided an unprecedented forum for Orthodox Jews to express their views, share their experiences and develop a more united front among the Orthodox community. In this way, modern Orthodox Jews are able to embrace technology while still remain true to their core values.
Orthodox Judaism and the State of Israel
Perhaps the most significant development in the history of Orthodox Judaism was the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. The establishment of the modern State of Israel gave Orthodox Jews a sense of pride and security that they had not felt in centuries. In addition, the state of Israel has provided a venue for Orthodox Jews to travel and live in a predominantly Jewish society. This has allowed Orthodox Jews to develop a distinct identity, while still living within the parameters of the larger Israeli society.
Orthodox Judaism and Modern Science
In recent decades, there has been an increased focus on the use of modern technology and scientific processes by Orthodox Jews to answer spiritual questions. This has led to the development of processes such as ‘Bayesian analysis’, which has been employed to answer controversial questions such as the exact time which one can light Shabbat candles. In addition, the use of modern technology has enabled Orthodox Jews to gain access to information to be able to answer questions about religious laws and precepts which could not traditionally be done.
Media Representation of Orthodox Judaism
In recent years, the representation of Orthodox Jews in the media has been debated. On one hand, some feel that there has been a trend to portray Orthodox Jews as ‘unyielding’. On the other hand, there has been a renewed effort in certain circles to portray the contributions of Orthodox Jews to society in a positive light, while emphasizing their role in upholding the traditions of Judaism.
Effects of COVID-19 on Orthodox Judaism
The unprecedented spread of the novel COVID-19 virus has also had tremendous impacts on Orthodox Jewish communities. Synagogue closures, strict observance of social distancing protocols, and restrictions on gatherings have posed as meaningful challenges to Orthodox Jews from taking part in religious activities in the same manner as before. In order to mitigate the impact of the virus, Orthodox Jews have had to take part in religious activities such as Shabbat services, Passover Seders and other religious celebrations virtually via video chat services.
Reception of Modern Orthodox Judaism
In the past few decades, there has been a renewed effort among certain sections of the Orthodox Jewish community to embrace modernity and modern societal norms. This move has been particularly evident among Modern Orthodox Jews, who seek to find a balance between traditional faith and modern technology, while still making sure that core religious tenets are upheld. This has led to the emergence of a more moderate stance on a variety of issues, including the use of modern technology and the role of women in society.
Sexual Orientation in Orthodox Judaism
The issue of sexuality in Orthodox Judaism is a highly divisive issue. Traditional Orthodox Judaism considers homosexual acts forbidden, although it does accept homosexuals and does not stigmatize them accordingly. In recent years, there has been a new focus among some Orthodox Jews to eliminate the discrimination and stigma that homosexuals often face, although this is still a very controversial and contested issue.
Modern Orthodoxy and Interfaith Relationships
The rise of the Modern Orthodox movement has also led to a reconsideration of traditional attitudes to interfaith relationships. While traditional Orthodox Jewish law considers marriage between a Jew and non-Jew to be forbidden, certain Modern Orthodox individuals are increasingly finding ways to accept and legitimize interfaith relationships while still preserving their commitment to the traditional tenets of Judaism.
Contemporary Orthodox Judaism
At present, Orthodox Judaism has grown to become one of the largest and most rapidly growing Jewish denominations in the world, with adherents following in the footsteps of the oldest form of the Jewish faith. Although the Orthodox Jews have had to face a number of obstacles to continue practicing their religion in modern times, the perseverance and loyalty of the Orthodox Jews to their faith has enabled them to maintain their distinct identity, while still adapting to modernity.
