Beliefs
Although there is no official Jewish creed, there is a set of central beliefs within the Hebrew Bible, which consist of three sections: the Torah (the Teaching), Nevi'im (the Prophets), and Ketuvim (the Writings). The Torah is the sacred core of the Hebrew Bible, with stories of the creation, and other earlier stories about the Hebrew people. Some believe that Moses, in fact, created Judaism, because of his story in the Book of Exodus. He brought to his people,whom he just saved, the Ten Commandments. These Commandments gave his people rules for living as well as a sacred covenant between Yahweh and his people.
Orthodoxy is the correct belief, whereas orthopraxy is correct practice. Judaism is less interested in orthodoxy (correct belief), but rather orthopraxy (correct practice). For example, the Ten Commandments lists the beliefs, but there are other practices such as what foods to eat, and how prayer is conducted. The goal of laws is to recognize God's presence in everyday life, but to practice, correctly, applies that belief.
The Jewish Sabbath
The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, it is central to all forms of Judaism. It recalls the royal rest of God after the six days of labor when he created the world. The Sabbath is a special day of prayer and human relaxation. The Jewish Sabbath begins on Friday at sunset and lasts until Saturday at sunset. Jews implement this in the modern world by not using light switches, or kitchen stoves, nor use a car or a phone during the Sabbath. It is similar to the Christian Sabbath in a sense that it calls for a day and prayer and recalls the day that God had rested. Although, the Christian Sabbath is not as strict.
H o l y D a y s
Rosh Hashanah:
Rosh Hashanah, is the Jewish New Year. It recalls the creation of the world and occurs during autumn, in the seventh lunar month. It is preceded by a month of daily blowing of the shofar (ram's horn), that produces a solemn tone of warning to people. This sound reminds people that they stand before God. Yom Kippur: Yom Kippur is ten days later after the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. It is the Day of Atonement (meaning to make up for one's faults). This day is observed through prayer and strict fasting, with no food or drink for the entire day. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are also known as the High Holy Days, and this entire period is also called the Days of Awe, because of the mood of solemn judgment. Hanukkah: Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, is an early-winter festival full of joy. It is often called the Feast of Lights because it is a welcome celebration during the growing gloom of winter. Each day, over an eight-day period, one more candle is lit on a nine-branched candelabrum - a form of menorah - which until at the end of the festival, all are lit. During this eight day period, families gather in the evening, light the Hanukkah candles, and play traditional games and children receive small gifts each night. |
Passover
The springtime festival of Passover recalls the Hebrews' exodus from Egypt and this symbolizes their liberation. The blood of the lamb killed for the Passover meal, as the Book of Exodus recalls, saved them from the angel of death entering their homes while the power of God "passed over." The most significant event of Passover is the Seder meal ("order"), in which Jews eat symbolic foods. They eat a flat bread called a matzah, made without yeast, recalling that the Hebrews did not have time to let the bread rise since they were rushing to leave Egypt. They also eat shank bone of lamb or another animal representing the sacrificial lamb. Haroseth, a salad of nuts and fruits is also eaten, recalling the mortar used by the Hebrews in their forced labor.
Jewish Dietary Practice
The term "kosher" means "ritually correct" and it refers to food preparation and consumption. For meat, all blood must be drained before the meat is cooked and eaten, because the blood gives life, and is sacred to God. Traditional Jews did not allow meat and dairy products to be mixed or eaten together at the same meal. Therefore, a household that "keeps kosher" must maintain separate sets of cooking implements, pans, dishes, etc. It is important in Judaism because they are more focused on orthopraxy; they have basic tenets of traditional Jewish dietary practices in food consumption and food handling within their religious laws.
Observance-Based Divisions in Judaism
Orthodox Judaism:
Orthodox Judaism is traditional Judaism that derived after and as a response to the Reform movement. The term, orthodox, refers to traditional Jews in which there are a great variety regarding their social and political positions. Some include: integrationists (seek to play a role in civil society), and the separatists (want to live their traditional lifestyle apart from society). Orthodox Jews were also categorized by their support for the state of Israel and the need for secular education. In this sense, we can describe Orthodoxy as a branch of Judaism committed to retaining traditional practice and belief.
Conservative Judaism:
Some Jews thought the European movement of reform was much too radical. Conservative Judaism traces its origins back to Germany but is strongly rooted in the United States among Jews who desired moderate change keeping some Hebrew services. This branch of Judaism accepts change, but it uses study and discussion to guide change carefully. Almost of half of the practicing Jews in the United States belong to this branch.
Reform Judaism:
Reform Judaism began in Germany out of a desire of some Jews to leave their life, and completely enter the mainstream of European culture. The most influential individual during this movement was Moses Mendelssohn, a known thinker and writer. He argued that Judaism could be combined with civil culture, a religious tolerance. This resulted in Reform synagogue worship where men and women do not sit separately, services are conducted in both native language and Hebrew, choirs and organ music are common, and the use of the talit and tefillin has been removed or optional. Traditional ways of dressing, common within the Orthodox Jews, have disappeared, and equality is given to men and women.
Reconstructionist Judaism:
Reconstructionist Judaism is the most recent and smallest branch of Judaism that arose from the thought of the founder, Mordecai Kaplan. Kaplan was highly influenced by the American ideals of democracy and practicality. He encouraged Jews to be familiar with their traditional Jewish beliefs and practices but at the same time, allowed the freedom of individual interpretation. Rather than searching for a set of beliefs and practices that are an unchanging essence, Reconstructionist Judaism sees Judaism as a changing cultural force, with many elements and manifestations - "it never stands still but evolves."
Orthodox Judaism is traditional Judaism that derived after and as a response to the Reform movement. The term, orthodox, refers to traditional Jews in which there are a great variety regarding their social and political positions. Some include: integrationists (seek to play a role in civil society), and the separatists (want to live their traditional lifestyle apart from society). Orthodox Jews were also categorized by their support for the state of Israel and the need for secular education. In this sense, we can describe Orthodoxy as a branch of Judaism committed to retaining traditional practice and belief.
Conservative Judaism:
Some Jews thought the European movement of reform was much too radical. Conservative Judaism traces its origins back to Germany but is strongly rooted in the United States among Jews who desired moderate change keeping some Hebrew services. This branch of Judaism accepts change, but it uses study and discussion to guide change carefully. Almost of half of the practicing Jews in the United States belong to this branch.
Reform Judaism:
Reform Judaism began in Germany out of a desire of some Jews to leave their life, and completely enter the mainstream of European culture. The most influential individual during this movement was Moses Mendelssohn, a known thinker and writer. He argued that Judaism could be combined with civil culture, a religious tolerance. This resulted in Reform synagogue worship where men and women do not sit separately, services are conducted in both native language and Hebrew, choirs and organ music are common, and the use of the talit and tefillin has been removed or optional. Traditional ways of dressing, common within the Orthodox Jews, have disappeared, and equality is given to men and women.
Reconstructionist Judaism:
Reconstructionist Judaism is the most recent and smallest branch of Judaism that arose from the thought of the founder, Mordecai Kaplan. Kaplan was highly influenced by the American ideals of democracy and practicality. He encouraged Jews to be familiar with their traditional Jewish beliefs and practices but at the same time, allowed the freedom of individual interpretation. Rather than searching for a set of beliefs and practices that are an unchanging essence, Reconstructionist Judaism sees Judaism as a changing cultural force, with many elements and manifestations - "it never stands still but evolves."