Jewish religious movements

Jewish religious movements, often called denominations, represent the diverse ways people practice Judaism.

These groups differ based on their attitudes toward religious law and tradition. Some groups focus on strict adherence to ancient rules, while others adapt to modern life. These distinctions are not just about belief; they influence how people live every day. They affect everything from the language used in prayer to the way communities organize themselves.

Many scholars use the term "denomination" to categorize these groups. However, some Jewish people prefer terms like "movements," "branches," or "streams." They argue that "denomination" carries a Christian meaning that does not fit the Jewish context.

Modern Jewish life in the West is often categorized by levels of observance. Orthodox Judaism is the traditionalist branch.

This includes Modern Orthodox Jews and the ultratraditionalist Haredi group. Other major movements include Reform Judaism, which began in late 18th-century Europe. Conservative Judaism emerged in 19th-century Europe. In the 20th century, the United States saw the rise of Reconstructionist Judaism and Jewish Renewal movements.

These groups differ on complex theological issues. They may disagree on the authorship of the Bible or the role of a messiah. They also differ in their liturgy, or the specific structure of religious services. Traditional movements tend to emphasize the use of Hebrew.

In Israel, religious variation follows different patterns than in the West. Many Israeli Jews classify themselves by their level of observance. These categories include "secular" (hiloni), "traditional" (masortim), "religious" (dati), or "ultra-religious" (haredi). The Israeli landscape is also shaped by historical influences like the Old Yishuv and Yemenite traditions. While Western movements often focus on the split between Orthodox and non-Orthodox groups, Israeli identity is shaped by these local social categories. The non-Orthodox groups are sometimes called the "liberal" or "progressive" streams.

History shows that Jewish religious diversity is not new. During the Second Temple period, before 70 CE, several groups existed in the Roman province of Judaea.

These included the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots. The Pharisees sought to maintain the authority of Torah teachings through the Mishna. The Sadducees were often part of the aristocracy and rejected the idea of life after death. The Essenes lived an ascetic life, while the Zealots advocated for armed rebellion against Rome. This era was marked by intense internal struggles. Eventually, the destruction of the Second Temple changed the religious landscape forever.

Most modern Jewish streams grew from the Pharisaic movement, known as Rabbinic Judaism. This group relies on the Oral Torah, which includes the Talmud. Other groups, called non-Rabbinic, do not recognize the Oral Torah as divine authority. One example is Karaite Judaism, which began in the early 9th century.

Karaites seek the plain meaning of the Tanakh, or the Hebrew Bible. Another distinct group is the Samaritans. They believe they descend from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.

They follow a version of the Torah that is slightly different from the Rabbinic version. Today, only about 840 Samaritans remain, living in places like Holon and near Mount Gerizim.

Ethnicity and geography also play a major role in Jewish identity. Ashkenazi Jews, who have roots in German and Eastern European traditions, make up about 75% of the world's Jewish population.

Sephardi Jews, descending from the Iberian Peninsula, and Mizrahi Jews, from Middle Eastern or Asian backgrounds, make up about 20%. These groups often have different rites of prayer, called minhagim. There are also smaller groups like the Beta Israel from Ethiopia. They practice a tradition called Haymanot.

Their sacred text, the Orit, is written in Ge'ez. They also observe unique holidays like Sigd.

Despite these many differences, the various movements are often linked. They may cooperate through community federations or campus organizations like the Hillel Foundation. Some groups also work together through organizations like the New York Board of Rabbis. While there are sharp theological divides, individuals and families often move between different affiliations. Some small communities even combine elements from several movements to survive. This shows that while the branches are distinct, they remain part of a much larger, complex system of faith and culture.