Judaism

[Soutane]

This is a question for our elder brothers,the Jews.What are the different "types"of Judaism,how do they differ and are the refomed recognized by the Orthodox etc?

 

[Robbinson]

This is a question for our elder brothers,the Jews.What are the different "types"of Judaism,how do they differ and are the refomed recognized by the Orthodox etc?

Many would break down Judaism into three major denominations/levels of observance of Jews (in saying that, I’m sure I’ll prompt many responses, because there are many variations):

Orthodox (includes Modern Orthodox, Hassidic).

These Jews generally accept the Hebrew Scriptures as the inerrant word of God (like Bible Christians) and also believe the oral tradition (handed down to Moses has the same authority as scripture). They are, effectively, the spiritual descendants of the Pharasies of the time of Christ. Follow the dietary laws and all 613 commandments in the Old Testament (other than the Levitical rules which can’t be followed without a Temple).

There are variations within Orthodox Judaism re: dress and various schools of thought based upon rabbinic tradition.

Conservative:

These Jews follow much of the Mosaic Law (many, but not all, follow the dietary laws), but not to the same literal degree of Orthodox. And beliefs vary on the inerrancy of scripture.

Reform:

These Jews are largely secular. Denominationally, they tend to view the scriptures as a story revealing God, but not literally. They do not follow the dietary laws or the Mosaic Law in any material respect, but follow the traditions and celebrate the major feast days.

Some ultra Orthodox Jews consder reform Jews as not “Jewish” - but when pushed, will acknowledge that even in their eyes as a matter of scripture and rabbinic tradition, they are Jews, just disobedient.

No denomination of Jews today really follows “scriptural Judaism” because after the Temple was destroyed, it was no longer possible to fulfill the majority of the Mosaic Law. Thus, with the destruction of the Temple and of the Sanhendren ( the governing body of Jews), came the birth of "rabbinic Judaism) that we have today.

Messianic Judaism is (to messianic jews) another form of Judaism. But most Jews who do not believe in Christ deny messianic Jews are Jews at all (even though Jews under historic rabbinic law and scripture is based upon descent from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (paternal in scripture/maternal in rabbinic judaism).

Hope that helps - at least a first shot across the bow for disagreement.

Blessings,

Brian

 

[Soutane]

Many thanks

 

[Steadfast]

Brian,

Excellent thumbnail!



I grew up in Detroit and went to a school system whose population was about 10-15% Jewish, (mostly Reform Jews), since it served a corner of Oak Park (at one time a major Jewish enclave in the Detroit area).

What you describe here is pretty much exactly what I know about Jews in America.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

. . .
No denomination of Jews today really follows “scriptural Judaism” because after the Temple was destroyed, it was no longer possible to fulfill the majority of the Mosaic Law. Thus, with the destruction of the Temple and of the Sanhendren ( the governing body of Jews), came the birth of "rabbinic Judaism) that we have today. . . .

I think that this drew on their previous experience with non-Temple worship while in Babylon.

 

[a_cermak]

There are also 2 other branches of Judaism, the Reconstructionist Jews and the Humanistic Jews.

 

[Robbinson]

I think that this drew on their previous experience with non-Temple worship while in Babylon.

Joe - this is an excellent point. Yes, during the Babylonina exile (after the destruction of Solomon’s temple but before the rebuilding of the temple, about 40 years (e.g., about 1 generation) later, the Jews were without a means of Levitical sacrifice and were forced to adapt by gathering in local communities (synagogues), much as they do today.

A critical distinction is that this was a temporary (single generation) disruption from the norm relatively quickly remedied (within about 40 years).

The destruction of the second temple in 70AD ushered in when has now been a period of well more than 2,000 years with no temple. This forced, over time, and establishment of much more elaborate “non-temple” liturgy, prayer life and practices. This evolved over time (as revealed in the Talmud) so that by about the 4th century AD, there was a well defined rabbinic tradition of prayer and good deeds (mitzvot).

The scriptural means of salvation has always been (i) faith in God and belief in the coming (after Christ, in Christ) of the Messiah; (ii) sacrifice (we see it in Genesis and codified in Leviticus, then fulfilled once and for all in Christ), (iii) repentance from sin (required in the Old Testatement, and yes, still required now even with faith in Christ we must repent of our sins); and (iv) good deeds and alms giving (required per the Hebrew scriptures and still required today with Christ - see the sheeps and goat passages).

Today, for those Jews who do not accept the sacrifice of Christ, there is no “sacrifice” as there is no Temple. While they faced this situation temporarily while in exile in Babylon, that was cured within a generation. But after the destruction of the second temple, this difficiency has extended over tens of generations.

Blessings,

Brian