Orthodox Judaism

Orthodox Judaism is a traditional branch of Judaism. It believes that the Torah, both written and spoken, was given by God to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai and has been passed down unchanged. Followers of Orthodox Judaism follow Jewish law, called halakha, very strictly. This includes rules about food, daily life, and worship.

People who practice Orthodox Judaism can often be recognized by their way of living. They do not work or do many everyday activities on the Sabbath or holidays. They only eat kosher food, which means food prepared in a special way. Men often wear head coverings and tassels, and women wear modest clothing. They also pray three times a day and study the Torah often.

Orthodox Judaism is not one single group but has different branches. The Haredi, or Ultra-Orthodox, are more separate from the rest of society and follow traditions very strictly. The Modern Orthodox are more involved in everyday life but still hold strongly to their beliefs. Even though they have different practices, all groups believe that Orthodox Judaism is the true way to follow the Jewish faith.

Orthodox Judaism began in modern times as a way to keep traditional Jewish beliefs during a time when many people were moving away from religion. Today, it is the largest group within Judaism, with millions of people who practice it and many more who feel connected to it.

Definitions

The term Orthodox Jews was first mentioned in 1795 in a German magazine called the Berlinische Monatsschrift. The word Orthodox came from German discussions about change and was used for Jews who did not support new ideas. During the 1800s, as some Jews in Germany began changing their traditions (called Reform Judaism), those who kept the old ways were called Orthodox. They didn’t really like this name, preferring words like "Torah-true." Over time, though, the name Orthodox became widely used, even in places like Eastern Europe.

Orthodox Judaism sees itself as the true continuation of Jewish traditions. It follows Jewish law, or halakha, very strictly, using traditional ways to understand it. Even though Orthodox groups were formed to protect old traditions in a changing world, they still had to find new ways to fit into modern society. This meant making some changes while still holding onto their core beliefs.

History

Modernity crisis

Until the late 1700s, Jewish communities in Central and Western Europe were independent, led by wealthy leaders and guided by rabbis. Jewish law was strictly followed, and those who broke it faced serious consequences.

With the rise of modern, centralized governments, these communities lost their independence. Governments began to treat Jews more equally but expected them to integrate into society. This shift confused rabbis, who were expected to provide care without their traditional judicial powers. Ideas from the Enlightenment also challenged traditional Jewish beliefs and practices.

Hamburg Temple dispute

In 1818, a new synagogue in Hamburg sparked controversy by modernizing rituals and altering prayers. Traditionalists, led by Rabbi Moses Sofer, strongly opposed these changes, marking the beginning of Orthodox Judaism as a distinct movement.

Wissenschaft des Judentums

In the 1830s, some rabbis in Germany began studying Judaism using modern historical methods, leading to debates about traditional beliefs. This movement, called Wissenschaft des Judentums, influenced the formation of Reform Judaism and caused divisions among Orthodox Jews.

Communal schism

In the 1840s, as traditionalists became a minority in Germany, some rabbis called for strict separation from non-observant Jews. Others, like Rabbi Jacob Ettlinger, sought to tolerate nonobservant individuals while maintaining distinct Orthodox practices.

Eastern Europe

In Eastern Europe, where modernization was slower, traditional Jewish life continued with strong emphasis on religious education and Yiddish language. Debates over Zionism and modernization divided traditionalists, leading to the formation of groups like Religious Zionism and Haredim.

United States

In the 19th century, American Jewry was small and influenced by Protestant practices. Reform Judaism spread quickly, prompting traditionalists to form groups like the Union of Orthodox Rabbis. After World War II, new arrivals from Europe established strictly observant communities, shaping American Orthodox Judaism.

Theology

Orthodox attitudes

Judaism does not have a single, final set of beliefs, and whether it includes strict rules about belief is debated. Some thinkers say that following Jewish laws is more important than having specific beliefs. Others disagree, pointing to old debates that criticized certain ideas without mentioning actions. Even without a uniform set of beliefs, Orthodox Judaism shares core ideas that its followers strongly uphold.

In the past, several leaders tried to list these core beliefs. One famous list comes from Maimonides, who wrote about 13 key ideas in the 1160s. These ideas were widely accepted, though not everyone agreed with all of them. Over time, these 13 ideas became very important to Orthodox Judaism.

God

Main article: God in Judaism

Orthodox Judaism believes in one God, following the idea of monotheism. This God is described as one, existing before anything else, eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, and not physical. This belief is expressed in prayers like the Shema Yisrael: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.”

Revelation

Orthodox Judaism teaches that God gave the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai. This includes both the written Torah and an oral explanation of it, passed down through generations of teachers. This belief is called “The Law is from the Heavens.” Orthodox Judaism holds that this teaching is complete and unchanging, and that any new understanding must follow the old ways of interpretation.

Eschatology

Main article: Jewish eschatology

Orthodox Judaism believes in a future Messiah from King David’s family. This Messiah will bring peace, rebuild the Temple, and gather all Jews to their homeland.

Orthodox Judaism also believes in the resurrection of the dead. This idea comes from ancient Jewish teachings, which say that all good Jews will live on in a world to come. Those who do not follow the right beliefs will not share in this future life.

Practice

Orthodox Judaism is known for following Jewish laws, or halakha, very carefully. These laws come from ancient teachings and are believed to have been given by God. Rabbis help explain these laws, and there are many books and discussions about what they mean. Even today, new books and guides are written to help people understand these laws better.

Orthodox Jews also have special ways of dressing and living. For example, many wear specific clothes to show their faith, and there are rules about how men and women should dress. There are also important rules about eating, resting on certain days, and daily prayers. These practices help bring people closer to their traditions and beliefs.

Diversity

Further information: Hashkafa § Broad hashkafot, and Relationships between Jewish religious movements

Orthodox Judaism does not have one central leader or group. Instead, it is made up of many different communities that share similar beliefs and practices. These groups often respect certain important rabbis, but each community usually follows its own leaders. For example, the Haredi community has many smaller groups, each with their own rabbis.

There can be disagreements among these groups about what is right or wrong. Some groups might think others are not following the traditions closely enough, leading to debates about many topics, from how to study religious texts to rules about behavior.

Demographics

According to some estimates from around 2012, there are about 2 million people who follow Orthodox Judaism closely, with another 2 million who support the tradition. This makes Orthodox Judaism the largest group within Jewish faith today.

In the State of Israel, about 22% of Jewish people consider themselves Orthodox. In the Orthodox community of the United States, most live in areas like the Northeast, especially in New York and New Jersey. Families in these communities often have many children, which helps their numbers grow. However, some people choose not to stay in these communities as they grow older.

Groups

Haredim

Main article: Haredi Judaism

The most well-known group within Orthodox Judaism is the Haredim, also called "strictly Orthodox" or "Ultra-Orthodox." They are the most traditional part of Orthodox Judaism. Haredim often keep away from modern society and focus on religious values. They follow the guidance of rabbis in many parts of daily life. Haredim are usually recognized by their dress, with men often wearing mostly black and women dressing modestly, including covering their hair.

The Haredim can be divided into three main groups:

Hasidic

Main article: Hasidic Judaism

Hasidic Jews began in the 18th century in Eastern Europe as a movement that emphasized mystical parts of religion. Each Hasidic community follows a leader called a rebbe, who is usually a rabbi. Hasidic communities have their own customs, styles of dress, and ways of worship. Men often wear special clothes and hats, especially on weekends.

Litvaks

The second Haredi group is called the Litvaks, or Yeshivish. They started from people who opposed the Hasidic movement, mainly in old Lithuania. Litvaks focus on studying the Torah and admire the scholars who lead their schools, called yeshivas. They value learning the Torah above all.

Sephardic

Main article: Sephardic Haredim

The third Haredi group is the Sephardic Haredim, living mostly in Israel. They are linked to the Shas party and follow the teachings of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. Many of them came from Middle Eastern and North African countries in the 1950s. They value their religious traditions and have strong ties to other parts of Israeli society.

Modern Orthodoxy

Main article: Modern Orthodox Judaism

In places like the United States, Modern Orthodoxy refers to communities that follow Jewish laws strictly but also value being part of the modern world. They believe in obeying Jewish Law, studying the Torah, and engaging positively with modern culture. They are influenced by leaders such as Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and are often part of institutions like Yeshiva University.

Religious Zionism

Main article: Religious Zionism

In Israel, Religious Zionism is a major Orthodox group that strongly supports Israel. They believe that Israel has deep religious meaning. This group includes different views, with some being more conservative and others more open. They have been discussing topics like education and traditions.

European Centrist Orthodoxy

In Europe, "Centrist Orthodoxy" includes groups like the British United Synagogue and the Israelite Central Consistory of France. These groups lead Jewish communities in their countries, though not everyone in these groups follows all religious laws strictly.

Israeli Masorti (traditional)

Main article: Masortim

In Israel, many people are considered Masorti, or "traditional." This term started with people from Middle Eastern countries who respected their heritage but were not very strict about following all religious laws. Over time, some have developed deeper meanings for what it means to be Masorti.