Branches of Judaism

Important Orthodox Jews

Important Figures

• Nathan Alder; cheif Rabbi, helped push idea of Jewish schools
• Abraham; biblical founder and patriarch of Judaism (was forced to burn son)
• Issac; Abraham's son, willing human sacrifice to God, God stopped sacrifice
• Rebecca (matriarch); Issac's wife, had two fraternal twins w/ Issac (Jacob and Esau)
• Jacob; spiritually minded (made him Rebecca's favorite); spiritual leader
• Jacob lived w/ his uncle to get away from Esau; living w/ uncle he met Rachel
• Jacob married Rachel's sister Leah then married Rachel
• Jacob had kids w/ Rachel, Leah, and two of Leah's maidservants (13 kids in total - 12 boys and 1 girl)

Orthodox Beliefs

Beliefs

• Usually men wear head coverings called a Kippah
• Jews follow the laws of the Torah (c. 450-350 BCE) without question
• In Orthodox households food must be prepared to fit kosher laws (kosher means food that meets the requirments of the Torah)
• In the morning jews strap small box (tefillin) around their head and arm closest to their hearts as prayer to show respect to God and knowing they're always in God's presence

Orthodox History

History

• Judaism only followed the laws of the Torah, but as society evolved, smaller groups were created to adapt the Torah laws into modern life (Torah is Jewish bible)
• During jewish diaspora communities developed in the U.K especially Londodn and York
• Rabbi's in U.K made commets on Talmud that were made into texts still used today (Talmud is a holy Jewish text)
• Jews afraid of being judged by society
• Only wore traditional clothing in homes
• "Weren't supposed to stand out from piers"
• 1857 defended Nathan Alder idea of created first jewish schools in U.K
• As of 2009 OVER twenty jewish schools

Reform Beliefs

Beliefs

• In all reform and Non-Orthodox synagogues women are allowed to become Rabbis
• Reform synagogues women allowed to sit w/ men
• Reform synagogues mixture of Hebrew and English, even though Talmud is only Hebrew
• Reform jews were first group to get rid of death penalty; even though in Torah it's legal
• Reform partly developed, because of need for religios changes and partly because society was evolving so quickly
• At first Judaism changed so quickly it was no longer recognizable to be Biblical Judaism, so its name was changed to Rabbinic Judaism

Reconstructionist Beliefs

Beliefs

• "Seeks to unite Jewish history , tradition, and culture"
• Meant for people w/ strong spiritual sense, but removes supernatural elements of being religious
• Teach to find or seek for the meaning of life, and search for the heart in religion
• Believe Judaism was the creation of Jews, not God
• Believe everyone is unique in Judaism, but becasue Jews are unique doesn't mean superior
• Inclusive (anyone can join or practice like them)
• Sees God as a symbol of guidence
• Believes one quote describes what they belive: "belonging, not believing"

Reconstructionist History

History

• Inspiration to start this subdivision of Judaism was Rabbi Mordecai Menahem (1881-1983)
• Mordecai noticed Orthodox Jews were mostly focused on God and rituals, so they didn't have time for community
• Mordecai discovered Reform, but viewed them as a religion not a family/community

Conservative Beliefs

Beliefs

• Because middle ground keeps tradition, but is flexible to incorperate modern day life
• Conservative believe ever evolving religion to meet needs of people
• Believe God(s) will reveal themselves through prophets overtime

Conservative History

History

• Developed during 20th century in U.S.A
• In 1960 Rabbi's agreed to modify Orthodox Judaism to Conservative Judaism
• In 1985 became legal for conservative women rabbis
• As of 2022 there is one conservative synagogue

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Rich, Tracey R. "The Patriarchs and the Origins of Judaism." Judaism 101, 2022, www.jewfaq.org/patriarchs_and_origins. Accessed 2 Mar. 2023.

Rogers, Kirsteen, and Clare Hickman. The Usborne Internet-linked Encyclopedia of World Religions. London, Usborne, 2001.

Romain, Jonathan. "Reform Judaism." BBC, 13 Aug. 2009, www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/subdivisions/reform_1.shtml. Accessed 21 Feb. 2023.

Rubinstein, Rabbi YY. "Orthodox Judaism." BBC, 13 Aug. 2009, www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/subdivisions/orthodox_1.shtml. Accessed 28 Feb. 2023.

The Sacrifice of Isaac: Beyond Obedience… is Love! Mindful Judaism, 9 Nov. 2022, mindfuljudaism.com/the-sacrifice-of-isaac-beyond-obedience-is-love/. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Wexler, Iris. Rebecca saying to her son Jacob Painting. 2019. Saatchi Art, www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Rebecca-saying-to-her-son-Jacob/1132462/8008801/view. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Bibliography Continued