Variants Of Judaism
Variants of Judaism
There are three major streams/variants/groups within Judaism today. These are Orthodox, Progressive & Conservative. These groups, although all holding to the principle beliefs of Judaism, have unique practices and perspectives on their faith tradition.
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism
Progressive Judaism
Progressive Judaism
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism
More traditional More liberal
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism is the most traditional form of Judaism. Orthodox Judaism is an umbrella term for Jewish traditionalists who above all, accept the authority of the code of Jewish law and reject modernist adjustments. They have a traditional understanding of central Jewish beliefs such as Covenant, …show more content…
The word ‘orthodox’ is a term that is relatively modern, emerging in the late 18th Century and was derived from the Greek terms ‘orthos’ (true/right) + ‘doxa’ (opinion/belief) = ‘correct belief’. Within Australia, most of the Jewish population identify with Orthodox Judaism, meaning that the synagogue to which they belong is an Orthodox synagogue. This is not to say, however, that all Orthodox Jews are regular synagogue attendees. (As with Christianity, regular synagogue attendance and commitment to faith does not mean you necessarily belong to a traditional variant. Similarly, identifying with an Orthodox synagogue doesn’t meant you actually attend regularly.)
REVELATION: One key belief that distinguishes Orthodox Jews from other groups is their belief that the Torah was transmitted to Moses and then written down in its entirety. It is believed that the Torah cannot be changed or challenged by humans as it is the word of God. The Talmud (oral law of Judaism) is also very important and must be followed in order to correctly follow the teachings of God as laid out in the …show more content…
With regards to the Mishnah (Oral Torah), Progressive Jews consider this to be open to corruption as it was not written down for a considerable period of time and so it is seen as a book of learning rather than of revelation.
Conservative Judaism
This grouping of Judaism falls between the Orthodox and Progressive variants. Conservative Judaism is one of the most recent developments within Judaism and is the smallest group represented within the Australian population. Conservative Jews seek to adapt to the modern world whilst also retaining core elements of the Orthodox traditions in their practices. Conservative Judaism emerged in reaction to the changes that Progressive Judaism sought to institute whilst allowing for some change.
WORSHIP: Conservative congregations are mixed, meaning that men and women sit together. The services are held in a mixture of Hebrew & the vernacular. Female rabbis and cantors are allowed.
ETHICS: Conservative Judaism accepts the authority of the Oral Law, but reserves the right to reinterpret it in keeping with changing
There are three major streams/variants/groups within Judaism today. These are Orthodox, Progressive & Conservative. These groups, although all holding to the principle beliefs of Judaism, have unique practices and perspectives on their faith tradition.
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism
Progressive Judaism
Progressive Judaism
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism
More traditional More liberal
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism is the most traditional form of Judaism. Orthodox Judaism is an umbrella term for Jewish traditionalists who above all, accept the authority of the code of Jewish law and reject modernist adjustments. They have a traditional understanding of central Jewish beliefs such as Covenant, …show more content…
The word ‘orthodox’ is a term that is relatively modern, emerging in the late 18th Century and was derived from the Greek terms ‘orthos’ (true/right) + ‘doxa’ (opinion/belief) = ‘correct belief’. Within Australia, most of the Jewish population identify with Orthodox Judaism, meaning that the synagogue to which they belong is an Orthodox synagogue. This is not to say, however, that all Orthodox Jews are regular synagogue attendees. (As with Christianity, regular synagogue attendance and commitment to faith does not mean you necessarily belong to a traditional variant. Similarly, identifying with an Orthodox synagogue doesn’t meant you actually attend regularly.)
REVELATION: One key belief that distinguishes Orthodox Jews from other groups is their belief that the Torah was transmitted to Moses and then written down in its entirety. It is believed that the Torah cannot be changed or challenged by humans as it is the word of God. The Talmud (oral law of Judaism) is also very important and must be followed in order to correctly follow the teachings of God as laid out in the …show more content…
With regards to the Mishnah (Oral Torah), Progressive Jews consider this to be open to corruption as it was not written down for a considerable period of time and so it is seen as a book of learning rather than of revelation.
Conservative Judaism
This grouping of Judaism falls between the Orthodox and Progressive variants. Conservative Judaism is one of the most recent developments within Judaism and is the smallest group represented within the Australian population. Conservative Jews seek to adapt to the modern world whilst also retaining core elements of the Orthodox traditions in their practices. Conservative Judaism emerged in reaction to the changes that Progressive Judaism sought to institute whilst allowing for some change.
WORSHIP: Conservative congregations are mixed, meaning that men and women sit together. The services are held in a mixture of Hebrew & the vernacular. Female rabbis and cantors are allowed.
ETHICS: Conservative Judaism accepts the authority of the Oral Law, but reserves the right to reinterpret it in keeping with changing