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Judaism is one of the oldest and most influential religions in the world. Judaism provides the foundation for Christianity as Jesus the Christ was a Jew, and view by his followers as the Jewish Messiah. The Old Testament in the Christian Bible is written in Hebrew.
I studied Old Testament Hebrew when I was studying Theology in The School of Religious Studies at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Israel
Israel is the ancestral home of Judaism and the Jewish people. Israel is a small country in the Middle East, in West Asia, with a long and complex history that goes back more than 3,500 years.
Israel, officially the State of Israel, is bordered by:
- Lebanon to the north,
- Syria to the northeast,
- Jordan to the east,
- the Red Sea to the south,
- Egypt to the southwest,
- the Mediterranean Sea to the west, and
- the West Bank along the east and the Gaza Strip along the southwest
Judaism is Based on the Torah
Judaism is based on the Torah, which is the first part of the Hebrew Bible. The Torah contains the Five Books of Moses, which tell the story of how God chose the Jewish people as His special nation and gave them His laws and commandments. The Torah is also known as the Written Torah, because it was given along with an Oral Torah, which explains and interprets the Written Torah. The Oral Torah was later written down in the Midrash and the Talmud, which are collections of stories, teachings, and legal discussions by Jewish sages throughout history.
Different Branches Or Denominations Of Judaism
Judaism is not just a religion, but also a culture and a civilization. There are different branches or denominations of Judaism that have different ways of understanding and practicing their faith. The main branches in alphabetical order are:
- Conservative Judaism
- Orthodox Judaism
- Reconstructionist Judaism
- Reform Judaism
- Conservative Judaism: This branch emerged in the 19th century as a reaction to the Reform movement, which was seen as too liberal and assimilated. Conservative Jews try to balance tradition and modernity, by preserving the core values and practices of Judaism while adapting to changing circumstances. They accept the authority of the halakhah, but also allow for some flexibility and diversity in interpretation and application. They also value Jewish scholarship and education, as well as social justice and engagement with the wider society.
- Orthodox Judaism: This is the most traditional branch of Judaism, which follows the Jewish law (halakhah) strictly and believes that it is binding for all Jews in all times and places. Orthodox Jews observe the Sabbath (Shabbat), dietary laws (kashrut), and other rituals according to the halakhah. They also study the Torah and Talmud extensively and use Hebrew as the language of prayer. Orthodox Judaism has several subgroups, such as Modern Orthodox, Hasidic, and Sephardic.
- Reconstructionist Judaism: This is the smallest and most recent branch of Judaism, founded by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan in the 20th century. Reconstructionist Jews view Judaism as an evolving civilization rather than a fixed religion. They do not believe in a personal God or supernatural miracles, but rather in a naturalistic conception of divinity. They also reject the idea of chosenness or exclusivity, and embrace pluralism and diversity within Judaism and among other faiths.
- Reform Judaism: This branch started in Germany in the early 19th century as a response to the emancipation and integration of Jews into European society. Reform Jews wanted to reform Judaism to make it more compatible with modern values and lifestyles. They rejected the binding nature of the halakhah, and focused more on ethics and spirituality than on rituals and laws. They also introduced changes in liturgy, such as using vernacular languages, music, and gender equality. Reform Jews emphasize personal autonomy and choice in matters of faith and practice.
These are just some of the main branches of Judaism, but there are many more variations and movements within each branch.
Judaism Information Online
Judaism is a rich and complex tradition that has many facets and expressions. If you want to learn more about Judaism, you can check out these links:
- The Four Branches of Modern Judaism – Caroline Myss
- 14 Facts About Jews and Judaism That Every Person Should Know – Chabad.org
- BBC – Religions – Judaism: The Torah
- The Different Branches Of Judaism: Which Is The Most Traditional? – ReligionsFacts.com
- History and Levels of Judaism | Three Branches of Judaism – Twinkl
- Judaism – Cultural Atlas
I hope you enjoyed this post and learned something about Judaism.
Thanks for reading!
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"Be practical and expect miracles when you just take the first step forward every day." -Richard Edward Ward
