Religion - Orthodox Denomination
Orthodox Judaism is the oldest form of
Judaism practiced by Jews. At the present time, Orthodoxy can roughly be
classified into Modern Orthodox Judaism (broadly also including
Religious Zionism) and Haredi Judaism (Hasidic Judaism is a subgroup
within Haredi Judaism). It is characterized by:
* The belief that the Torah (i.e. the Pentateuch) and its pertaining
laws are "Divine": Transmitted by God to Moses who then wrote it down,
and cannot be changed by any humans.
* God has made an exclusive unbreakable covenant with the Children of
Israel, the ancestors of the Jewish people, to be governed by the Torah.
* The belief that there is also an oral law in Judaism, embodied mainly
in the Talmud and Aggadah, which is intrinsically and inherently
entwined with the written law of the Torah.
* Adherence to Halakha (code/s of Jewish law), as codified mainly in the
Shulkhan Arukh, as an expression of both the written and oral laws.
* Judging the world outside, at any point in history and time, by the
principles and guidance of what is presented and taught in the
Torah/Talmud/Aggadah/Halakha primarily through the viewpoint of rabbis
and their rabbinical literature.
* The centrality of yeshivas as schools of Talmudic study and learning.
* A traditional teaching and acceptance of the Jewish principles of
faith by all Jews.
Origin and definition of the name "Orthodox"
While many Orthodox Jews accept the label "Orthodox", others reject and
criticize it because it was never traditionally applied to Jews in
ancient times or the Middle Ages. Many Orthodox Jews prefer to call
their faith Torah Judaism. The word "orthodox" itself is derived from
the Greek orthos meaning "straight" and doxa meaning "opinion".
Use of the "Orthodox" label seems to have begun towards the beginning of
the 19th century. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch wrote in 1854 that:
...it was not "Orthodox" Jews who introduced the word "orthodox" into
Jewish discussion. It was the modern "progressive" Jews who first
applied the name to "old, " "backward" Jews as a derogatory term. This
name was... resented by "old" Jews. And rightfully so...
Others, however, say that Rabbi Isaac Leeser was the first to use the
term in the US in his journal "The Occident," whose target audience was
the more "traditional" or Orthodox Jew.
The development of Orthodoxy
Unlike the modern denominations of Judaism, Orthodoxy is not a single
movement or school of thought. There is no single rabbinic body to which
all its rabbis are expected to belong, or any one organization
representing its member congregations. In the United States at the
present time, there are a number of Orthodox congregational
organizations such as, for example, Agudath Israel, the Orthodox Union,
and the National Council of Young Israel -- none of which can claim to
represent even a majority of all Orthodox congregations.
What the exact forms of Judaism were during the times of Moses or during
the eras of the Mishnah and Talmud cannot be exactly known today in all
its details, but Orthodox Jews maintain that contemporary Orthodox
Judaism maintains the same basic philosophy and legalistic framework
that existed throughout Jewish history -- whereas the other
denominations depart from it. It may be said that Orthodox Judaism, as
it exists today, is an outgrowth that stretches from the time the Ten
Commandments were granted by God at Mount Sinai and the growth of that
system of jurisprudence that can be traced and studied within Judaism's
primary works commencing with the Torah, Tanakh, Mishnah, Talmud, the
oral law, and rabbinic literature ongoing until the present time.
In the early 1800s, elements within German Jewry sought to reform Jewish
belief and practice in response to The Age of Enlightenment and the
emancipation. In light of modern scholarship, they denied divine
authorship of the Torah, declared only those biblical laws concerning
ethics to be binding, and stated that the rest of halakha (Jewish law)
need no longer be viewed as normative (see Reform Judaism).
At the same time, there were those German Jews who actively maintained
their traditions and adherence to Jewish law while simultaneously
engaging with a post-Enlightenment society. This camp was best
represented by the work and thought of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch.
Hirsch worked to reconcile traditional Judaism with the social realities
of the modern age, which he termed "Torah im Derech Eretz". While
insisting on strict adherence to Jewish beliefs and practices, he
encouraged secular studies, including history and modern philosophy; he
also encouraged limited integration into the non-Jewish community. This
form of Judaism was termed "neo-Orthodoxy". Some have claimed that this
later developed into Modern Orthodox Judaism, but others believe it
Rabbi Hirsch never intended his views to enable a movement that would
break with classical Orthodoxy.
In the twentieth century, a large segment of the Orthodox population
(notably as represented by World Agudath Israel movement formally
established in 1912) disagreed, and took a stricter approach. For a few
of them, the motto was "Anything new is forbidden by Torah" was
appealing, but they too followed various routes of observance and
practice. The leading rabbis of Orthodoxy viewed innovations and
modifications within Jewish law and customs with extreme care and
caution. Some today refer to this form of Judaism a "Haredi Judaism", or
(controversially) "Ultra-Orthodox Judaism". Unfortunately, in some
circles, the label "Haredi" has taken on pejorative meanings as with
"Orthodox" and certainly as in the case of "ultra-Orthodox".
The various approaches have proved resilient. It is estimated that
presently there are more Jews studying in yeshivot (Talmudical schools)
and Kollelim (post-graduate Talmudical colleges for married students)
than at any other time in history. In 1915 Yeshiva College (later
Yeshiva University) and its Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Rabbinical Seminary was
established in New York City for training in a Modern Orthodox milieu.
Eventually a school branch was established in Los Angeles, CA. A number
of other smaller but influential Orthodox seminaries, mostly Haredi,
were also established throughout the country, most notably in New York
City, Baltimore, and Chicago. The Haredi yeshiva in Lakewood, New Jersey
is the largest institution of its kind.
Hasidic Judaism
Main article: Hasidic Judaism
Many Orthodox Jews follow a spiritual path known as Hasidic (or
Chasidic) Judaism.
Beliefs
Orthodox Judaism is composed of different groups with intersecting
beliefs, practices and theologies, and in their broad patterns, the
Orthodox movements are very similar.
Orthodoxy, collectively, considers itself the only true heir to the
Jewish tradition; most of it considers all other Jewish movements to be
unacceptable deviations from tradition. Most Orthodox groups
characterize non-Orthodox forms of Judaism as heresy; see Torah Judaism.
Within orthodoxy, the various groups maintain significant social
differences, and differences in understanding halakha due to their
varying "attitudes" concerning (a) the role of women in Judaism, (b)
relations with non-Orthodox Jews, (c) attitudes toward modern culture
and modern scholarship, and (d) how to relate to the State of Israel and
Zionism.
Practices
Practices are largely standardised. For example, all Sephardic Orthodox
Jews base most of their practices on the Shulkhan Arukh, the 16th
century legal index written by Rabbi Yosef Karo; All Ashkenazic Orthodox
Jews base most of their practices on the Mappah, a commentary to the
Shulkhan Arukh written by Rabbi Moses Isserles. In the postwar period,
the Mishnah Berurah (a commentary on the Orach Chayim section) has
become the authoritative halakhic guide for much of Orthodox Ashkenazic
Jewry.
Orthodox Judaism affirms monotheism, the belief in one God. Among the
beliefs affirmed are: Maimonidean rationalism; Kabbalistic mysticism;
Hasidic panentheism. A few affirm limited theism (the theology
elucidated by Gersonides in "The Wars of the Lord".)
Orthodox Judaism maintains the traditional understanding of Jewish
identity. A Jew is someone who was born to a Jewish mother, or who
converts to Judaism in accordance with Jewish law and tradition.
Orthodoxy thus rejects patrilineal descent. Similarly, Orthodoxy does
not allow intermarriage. Intermarriage is seen as a deliberate rejection
of Judaism, and an intermarried person is effectively cut off from most
of the Orthodox community. However, some Chabad Lubavitch and Modern
Orthodox Jews do reach out to intermarried Jews.
Since there is no one unifying Orthodox body, there is no one official
statement of principles of faith. Rather, each Orthodox group claims to
be a non-exclusive heir to the received tradition of Jewish theology,
usually affirming a literal acceptance of Maimonides's 13 principles as
the only acceptable position. Some within Modern Orthodoxy take the more
liberal position that these principles only represent one particular
formulation of Jewish principles of faith, and that others are possible.
Beliefs about Jewish law and tradition
Orthodox Judaism holds that on Mount Sinai the Written Law was
transmitted along with an Oral Law. The words of the Torah (Pentateuch)
were spoken to Moses by God; the laws contained in this Written Torah,
the Mitzvot, were given along with detailed explanations (the oral
tradition) as to how to apply and interpret them. Furthermore, The Oral
law includes principles designed to create new rules. The Oral law is
held to be transmitted with an incredibly high degree of accuracy.
According to Orthodox Judaism, Jewish Law today is based on the
commandments in the Torah, as viewed through the discussions and debates
contained in classical rabbinic literature, especially the Mishnah and
the Talmud. Orthodox Judaism thus holds that the Halakha ("Jewish law")
represents the "will of God", either directly, or as closely to directly
as possible. If the laws are not the word of God per se, they are
nonetheless derived from the literal word of God in the Torah, using a
set of rules also revealed by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, and have been
derived with the utmost accuracy and care. If some of the details of
Jewish Law may have been lost over the millennia, they were
reconstructed in accordance with internally consistent rules; see The
thirteen rules by which Jewish law was derived.
In this world view, the Mishnaic and Talmudic rabbis are closer to the
Divine revelation; by corollary, one must be extremely conservative in
changing or adapting Jewish law. Furthermore, Orthodox Judaism holds
that, given Jewish law's Divine origin, no underlying principle may be
compromised in accounting for changing political, social or economic
conditions; in this sense, "creativity" and development in Jewish law is
held to have been limited. Thus, Orthodox Jews study the Talmud in
depth, but Talmudic legal methodology is rarely used to alter Jewish law
as codified in later compendia. Orthodox Jews will also study the Talmud
for its own sake; this is considered to be the greatest mitzvah of all;
see Torah study.
As above, it is held virtually as a principle of belief among many
Orthodox Jews that halakha ("Jewish law") never changes. Haredi Judaism
thus views higher criticism of the Talmud as inappropriate, and almost
certainly heretical. At the same time, many within Modern Orthodox
Judaism do not have a problem with historical scholarship in this area.
See the entry on Higher criticism of the Talmud.
Orthodox organizations and groups
The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, more commonly
known as the Orthodox Union, or more simply as the "OU", and the
Rabbinical Council of America, "RCA" are organizations which represent
Modern Orthodox Judaism, a large segment of Orthodoxy in America, Canada
and England. These groups should not be confused with the similarly
named Union of Orthodox Rabbis (described below).
The National Council of Young Israel, and the Council of Young Israel
Rabbis are smaller groups that were originally founded as Modern
Orthodox organizations, but which have since moved closer to Haredi
Judaism's positions. Its current leadership disavows the use of the term
"Modern Orthodoxy" altogether, and most will not attend official
meetings of the RCA or OU.
The Chief Rabbinate of Israel was originally founded with the intention
of representing all of Judaism within the State of Israel, and has two
chief rabbis: One is Ashkenazic (of the East European and Russian Jewish
tradition) and one is Sephardic (of the Spanish, North African and
middle-eastern Jewish tradition.) The rabbinate has never been accepted
by most Israeli Haredi groups. Since the 1960s the Chief rabbinate of
Israel has moved somewhat closer to the positions of Haredi Judaism.
Chief Rabbinate of Israel
Chabad Lubavitch is a vast international educational, outreach,
community-building movement of Hasidic Judaism. In over 40 years, about
5,000 young men who are all accompanied by equally motivated spouses
with typically large families, all of whom aim to fulfill their mandate
of Jewish outreach, education, and revival. They look for and recruit
people who want to join them, and they are the originators of, and major
players in, the Teshuva movement, which encourages Jews alienated from
their religion to become more Jewishly aware and religiously observant.
Agudath Israel of America (also: Agudat Yisrael or Agudas Yisroel) is a
large and influential Haredi group in America. Its roots go back to the
establishment of the original founding of the Agudath Israel movement in
1912 in Kattowitz Poland. The American Agudath Israel was founded in
1939. There is an Agudat Israel (Hasidic) in Israel, and also Degel
HaTorah (non-Hasidic "Lithuanian"), as well as an Agudath Israel of
Europe in Europe. These groups are loosely affiliated through the World
Agudath Israel, which from time to time holds a major gathering in
Israel called a knessiah gathering. Agudah unites many rabbinic leaders
from the Hasidic Judaism wing with those of the non-Hasidic "Yeshiva"
world. In Israel it shares a similar agenda with the Sephardic Shas
political party. Agudath Yisrael, More on Agudath Yisrael.
The Agudath HaRabonim (Agudas HaRabbonim), also known as The Union of
Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada, is a small Haredi
organization that was founded in 1902. It should not be confused with
"The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America" (see above)
which is a separate organization. While at one time influential within
Orthodox Judaism, the Agudath HaRabonnim in the last several decades it
has progressively moved further to the right; its membership has been
dropping and it has been relatively inactive. Some of its members are
rabbis from Chabad (Lubavitch) Judaism; some are also members of the RCA
(see above). It is currently most famous for its 1997 declaration
(citing Israeli Chief Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog, Lubavitch Rebbe
Menachem Mendel Schneerson, and Modern Orthodox Rabbi Joseph
Soloveitchik) that the Conservative and Reform are "not Judaism at all."
The Igud HaRabonim (also: Igud HaRabanim), the Rabbinical Alliance of
America, is a small anti-Zionist Haredi organization. Founded in 1944,
it claims over 650 rabbis; recent estimates indicate that less than 100
of its members worldwide actually work as rabbis.
The Hisachdus HaRabbonim (also: Hisachduth HaRabbonim), Central
Rabbinical Congress (CRC) of the U.S.A. & Canada, was established in
1952. It is a relatively small anti-Zionist Haredi organization,
consisting only of Satmar Hasidic rabbis.
Edah is a new left-wing Modern Orthodox advocacy group, consisting of
American Modern Orthodox rabbis. Most of its membership comes from
synagogues affiliated with the Union of Orthodox Congregations and RCA
(above). Their motto is "The courage to be Modern and Orthodox". Edah
The Bais Yaakov movement, begun in 1917, introduced the concept of
formal Judaic schooling for Orthodox women.
From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox_Judaism
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