A Brief History and Definition of Judaism
Basic Biblical Judaism began during the period of 400-500 B.C., around the time of the Biblical Ezra. When Ezra returned to Yerushalayim from Babylon, he was responsible for the initial phase of what might be called the development of classical, orthodox Judaism. Ezra was the “father of the scribes” (Ezra 7:11). During his time, a group of scholars arose and helped to explain the Holy Scriptures to the people. The teachings of these scribes called sopherim eventually led to the development of the Targums, a "paraphrased" interpretation of the Old Testament Scriptures.
With the scribes, also came the Pharushim (Pharisees) and Tzadakim (Sadducees). The Sadducees dealt mainly with Temple worship, while the Pharisees were primarily teachers of the law. After the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D., the Sadducees faded from existence and the Pharisees continued in influence. The final destruction of the Temple caused the cessation of the sacrificial system, which had been an intrinsic part of Jewish worship. As a result the rabbi’s were forced to redefine Judaism. Modern-day Orthodox Judaism had its beginning at that time.
Around 500 A.D. the Talmud, or “Oral Law” was codified. The rabbis stated that God gave this “Oral Law” to Moses at Mt. Sinai as the interpretation of the written Law, and that it had been passed down by tradition since then. Finally, these traditions were recorded to comprise the two sections of the Talmud: the Mishnah, a commentary on Scripture, and the Gemara, a commentary on the Mishna.
From 500-1800 A.D. Judaism underwent a major phase of development. During this time, scores of great rabbis added their thoughts and opinions to Judaism, but little change occurred. Due to the many anti-Semitic persecutions of that era, much of this period was spent in the mere struggle for survival. The major form of Judaism was the strict Orthodox faith. In the 18thcentury, Judaism began to develop the forms we see today. These changes and developments must be seen in the context of world events, such as the Enlightenment, the emancipation of the serfs, and the discovery of the new world. All these events had their effect on the Jewish community still concentrated in Eastern Europe.
ORTHODOXJUDAISM
History
Orthodox Judaism claims its beginnings go back to the Babylonian captivity (586 B.C.). The term “Orthodox” was not used prior to the late 1700s. At that time, the emancipation of the Jews began to affect traditional orthodoxy. As the Reform and Hasidic movements grew, the “regular” Jews felt a need to distinguish themselves form these two sects by use of the term “Orthodox”.
Essence
Orthodox Judaism claims to preserve tradition in both theology and liturgy. One might say they are the fundamentalists of Judaism. They hold to the acceptance of the total body of Jewish law. The Encyclopedia Judaica (Vol. 12, p. 1486) describes Orthodoxy as follows: “…Orthodoxy came to designate those who accept as divinely inspired the totality of the historical religion of the Jewish people…as it is observed in practice according to the teachings and unchanging principles of…halakah.” (Jewish Law)
Other Terms
Traditional Judaismor Torah Judaism
U.S. Membership
820,500 (14%)
View of Scripture
Torah is truth, and man must have faith in its essential, revealed character. A true Jew believes in revelation and the divine origin of the oral and written Torah.
View of God
God is spirit rather than form. He is a personal God: omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternal, and compassionate.
View of Man
Man in morally neutral, with good and evil inclinations. He can overcome his evil bent and be perfected by his own efforts in observance of the Law.
View of Sin
Orthodox Jews do not believe in “original sin”. Rather one commits sin by breaking the commandments on the Law.
View of Salvation
Repentance (belief in God’s mercy), prayer, and obedience to the Law are necessary for salvation.
View of the Tradition of the Law
The Law is the essence of Judaism. It is authoritative and gives structure and meaning to life. The life of total dedication to Halakhah leads to a nearness to God.
View of Messiah
The Messiah is a personal, superhuman being who is not divine. He will restore the Jewish kingdom and extend his righteous rule over the earth. He will execute judgment and right all wrongs.
View of Life After Death
There will be a physical resurrection. The righteous will exist forever with God in the Garden of Eden. The unrighteous will suffer, but disagreement exists over their ultimate destiny.
Distinctives in Synagogue Worship
The synagogue is a house of prayer; study and social aspects are incidental. All prayers are recited in Hebrew. Men and women sit separately. The officiates face the same direction as the congregants.
Orthodox Judaism is undergoing some renewal. They, also are establishing many Hebrew day schools all over this country, and like the Hasidim, send out missionaries to bring assimilated Jews back to the “fold”.
They observe synagogue division for men and women, and rigidly accepts all traditional practices set forth by the Oral Law: keeping holy days and fast days, keeping Kosher laws and observance of Sabbath laws prescribing no work, no fire kindling, or driving.
Summary
Orthodox Judaism rigidly accepts all traditional practices set forth by the Oral Law: keeping holy days and feast days, keeping Kosher, rigid observance of moral, health, and hygiene laws for the family, and the observance of Sabbath laws prescribing no work, no fire kindling, or car driving. They also observe synagogue division for men and women and the individual devotional life.
REFORM JUDAISM
History
Reform Judaism was started by Moses Mendelsohn in the latter part of the 18thcentury. At that time the Jews were allowed by Gentiles to leave the ghettos. This emancipation of the European Jews led many of them (mostly German) to lay aside the traditional orthodox garb. They dressed in European style and tried to be a part of the culture of that time. These early reformers desired a more western form of worship. The average Jews of that period were so eager to be modern that some even joined churches. This intense desire to integrate into the European life style was motivated by fear of renewed persecution. Because they were seeking historical evidence against the necessity for tradition, Reform Jews were the first modern writers of Jewish history.
Essence
Reform Jewry had abandoned many of the traditions, including the hope of the return to the Land, though this latter has greatly changed in recent years. They still reject the idea of a person Messiah, and believe instead in a Messianic age. Some deny a personal God and any concept of sin and reject the authority of Scripture. In many ways the Reform Jews are similar to Unitarians. They exclude the traditional yarmulke(skull cap) and tallit(fringed prayer shawl) from worship services and use an organ and a choir. Women and men sit together in the sanctuary. These changes from Orthodox worship often make the modern Reform synagogue (“Temple”) appear more like a church than a synagogue.
Other Terms
Liberal Judaismor Progressive Judaism
U.S. Membership
2,050,000 (35%)
View of Scripture
Revelation is a continuous process. Torah is a human document preserving the history, culture, legends, and hope of a people. It is valuable for deriving moral and ethical insights.
View of God
Reform Judaism allows a varied interpretation of the “God concept” with wide latitude for naturalists, mystics, supernaturalists or religious humanists. It holds that “The truth is that we do not know the truth”.
View of Man
Man’s nature is basically good. Through education, encouragement, and evolution he can actualize the potential already existing within him. Mankind may be God.
View of Sin
Reform Jews do not believe in “original sin”. Sin in reinterpreted as the ills of society.
View of Salvation
Salvation is obtained through the betterment of self and society.
View of the Tradition of the Law
The law is an evolving, ever dynamic religious code that adapts to every age. They maintain, “If religious observances clash with the just demands of civilized society, then they must be dropped”.
View of Messiah
Instead of belief in Messiah as a person or divine being, they favor the concept of a Utopian age toward which mankind in progressing.
View of Life After Death
Generally, Reform Judaism has no concept of personal life after death. “A person lives on in the minds of others or the accomplishments.” There is some influence of Eastern thought, where souls join to make one great impersonal life force.
Distinctives in Synagogue Worship
The synagogue is known as a “Temple”. The service has been modernized and abbreviated. English, as well as Hebrew, is used. Men and women sit together. Reform temples use choirs and organs in their worship services.
Today
Reform Judaism has tended to become more traditional in liturgy, but not in theology. It concerns itself with social issues and humanitarian causes.
Summary
Reform Judaism had its beginning during the rise of Protestant liberalism in Europe. The same theological higher criticism which developed destructive thinking concerning the Bible for Christianity, did it also for the assimulation movement among Germany’s Jews. Neither the Bible nor the Talmud is binding as a moral guide and the holy days (now holidays) are only kept as a showcase for the Reform. Neither the miraculous nor divine revelation exists for them.
CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM
History
Conservative Judaism began a half century after Reform Judaism. Conservative Judaism is one of the religious responses to the situation in which Jews found themselves during the era of emancipation. This movement arose in the middle of the 19thcentury, both in Europe and in the United States. Like Reform Judaism, it also had its beginning in Germany.
During the time of the Jewish mass migrations to America, Conservative Judaism grew significantly through the dynamics of one man, Solomon Schechter. When Orthodox Jews immigrated to America, many thought they must abandon some traditions. In order to fit in, they felt obliged to work on the Sabbath. They compromised, yet not so far as to become Reform Jews, and this mid-course path led comfortably and conveniently to Conservative Judaism.
Essence
Conservative Judaism was an attempt to integrate traditional Judaism with American society. It was a mid-way measure to enable Jews to follow most of the traditions, yet live as “20thcentury people”.
Although the founders of Conservative Judaism felt the need to ameliorate the legalistic atmosphere of traditional Orthodoxy, they wanted to avoid the anti-supernatural, anti-traditional stance of Reform Judaism. They retained the more traditional worship forms of Orthodoxy, but advocated a “scientific approach” to Scripture and theology.
Other Terms
Historical Judaism
U.S. Membership
2,340,000 (40%)
View of Scripture
The Bible is the word of God and man. It is not inspired in the traditional sense, but rather dynamically inspired. Revelation is an ongoing process in the evolutionary sense.
View of God
The concept of God is nondogmatic and flexible. There is less atheism in Conservative Judaism than in Reform, but most often God is considered impersonal and ineffable.
View of Man
This group tends toward the Reform view, though it is not as likely to espouse humanism. Perfectibility can come through enlightenment. Man is “in partnership” with God.
View of Sin
Conservative Jews do not believe in a sin nature. The individual can sin in moral or social actions.
View of Salvation
Conservative Jews tend toward the Reform view, but include the necessity of maintaining the Jewish identity.
View of the Tradition of the Law
Adaption to contemporary situations is inevitable. The demands of morality are absolute. The specific laws are relative.
View of Messiah
Conservative Jews hold much the same view as the Reform, i.e., they favor the concept of a Utopian age toward which mankind is progressing. Not a belief in Messiah as a person or divine being.
View of Life After Death
Conservative Jews tend toward the Reform view, but are less influenced by Eastern thought.
Distinctives in Synagogue Worship
The synagogue is viewed as the basic institution of Jewish life. Alterations listed under Reform are found to a lesser degree in Conservative worship.
Today
Some modern Conservatives lean toward Reform Judaism in thought. Conservative Judaism is very much concerned with historical scholarship. They also are very community minded.
Summary
Conservative Judaism is a sort of adjustment from the Old World Orthodox position to a modern American concept which had its root beginnings in the Colonies. They are Orthodox in tradition, but expedient in practice. For example, they light Sabbath candles, but do not separate the men and women in the synagogue, and they use both English and Hebrew for worship. This is a large segment of American Jewry and is considered a halfway house between the Orthodox and the Reform.
RECONSTRUCTION JUDAISM
History
Mordecai Kaplan was a Conservative Jew who felt the need to take a more sociological view of Judaism. The movement began in 1922 and only recently has shown signs of growth.
Essence
The Reconstructionists say Judaism is an evolving religious civilization that adapts to whatever age in which it finds itself. They consider the Old Testament era a superstitious age; thus Old Testament Judaism is superstitious. The modern age is scientific, so contemporary Judaism is also scientific. They deny anything supra-rational, such as a personal God, a Messiah, and miracles. Some also deny the concept of a life hereafter and say that “salvation” can only be found here and now.
The Reconstructionists Jews view Judaism as a culture and a way of life. Thus, they may appear to be traditional in practice, but their motivation is cultural rather than theological.
Summary
Reconstruction Judaism is identification and God is the power in the mind of the Jew which gives continuity to the Jewish people; and the Humanistic Synagogue – the Reconstruction idea of the synagogue as a central identification is carried to the extreme. God is entirely left out and atheism is practiced.
THE KARAITE JEW
The Karaites are a Jewish sect founded by Anon benDavidin Baghdad in 760 BC. This sect is closest to ancient Old Testament [Biblical] Judaism; these are scripturalists who reject all oral traditions, the Talmud, Mishna, and Gemora and attempt to restore primitive Judaism. A quote of Karaite Judaism is “search well the Torah, and do not rely on my opinion.”
HASIDISM
History
The first to vary from Orthodox Judaism were the Hasidim. Founded by Baal Shem Tov (Master of the Good Name), this group started in the early 1700s in Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania. It was a reason against the legalistic coldness and elitist attitude of Orthodox Judaism that closed out the common peasant. The Besht (short for Baal Shem Tov) emphasized the joy and warmth of Judaism and introduced an element of Mysticism. In a sense, the Hasidim were the existentialists of Judaism.
Essence
The Besht emphasized experience rather than learning because the people wanted a true experience with God. He believed in ecstatic worship through prayer and meditation. The Hasidim had their own distinct liturgy and culture. They held the concept of a Tzaddik (righteous one), considered almost a messiah. He was to bring God to the people and the people to God.
Description
The Hasidic Jew describes a person of extreme piety and Orthodoxy who wears a broad-brim hat and black frock coat. He may have a beard, but most certainly wears side curls. There are several branches among the Hasidism who jealously follow various leaders.
THE ASHKENAZIC JEW
Refers to Jews from Central and Eastern Europe and is not another division. The name Ashkenaz is found in Genesis 10:3 as a son of Gomer.
THE SAPAHARDIC JEW
is a word associated with Jews from Southern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The word Saphard is found in Obadiah 1:20. These Jews trace their tradition back to Babylon and do not accept European measures of modernizing traditional law. Hence, two chief rabbis in Ysrael.
WHO IS A JEW?
1. Initially the descendants of Avraham, Isaac and Jacobas the patriarchs were called Hebrews. Jacob’s messianic experience of wrestling with a man (said Moses), God (said Jacob) and an Angel (said Hosea) gave him a new name, Ysrael. His descendants were called Ysraelites.
2. In ancient times Jews living in Ysraelreferred to themselves as Ysraelites, while the term Jew became common outside of Ysrael. During the Babylonian captivity the term ‘Jews’ identified all of Ysraelas a religious, political, and national entity (Encyclopedia Judaica, Vol. 10, pp. 21-22). The English word Jew comes from the Hebrew Yehudia term derived from the tribe Yehudahor Judah, the fourth son of Jacob.
3. In order to be considered Jewish, one born of a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother must still undergo ritual conversion. However, this is according to modern Jewish law, non-biblical Judaism.According to modern Halakahor Jewish law a Jew is defined as one born of a Jewish mother.
4. In the Biblethe defining of a Jew was as one descending from the father and his lineage; the biblical definition of a Jew is one descended from Avraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Judah, yet also of the faith of their patriarchs. Paul says a Jew is not completed until he has embraced the faith of Judaism, that is, by calling upon the name of the Lord.
5. In the days of Elijah and Ezra there was a remnant;also there are those today who remain faithful to Scripture. Scripture teaches that a true Jew is not merely one born of Jewish parents, but one who has been born again (Romans 2:29). Paul expressed it well in Romans 11:5. There has always been a believing remnant! Always! There has always been an “Ysraelof God.”
