What are the major branches of judaism?

Answer 1

Answer

There are 4 main denominations in North America. Each one has a considerable amount of variation within it, but they are not as different from each other as the denominations within other religions:

Orthodox - believe in the binding nature of Jewish law and are generally not open to change. Orthodox Jews typically do not recognize the validity of any other denominations, though in some communities, Orthodox Jews get along very will with non-Orthodox Jews, such as the community of Clark County, in Southern Nevada.

Conservative - a range of beliefs from believing in updated versions of some of the laws to much more liberal views. The gap between the Conservative Movement and the Reform movement is growing smaller every year.

Reform - emphasizes personal ethical responsibility over traditional laws, however the Reform movement has been consistently growing more traditional since it's inception, more than 100 years ago.

Recontructionist - does not fit into a neat little definition. It is often philosophically more liberal than Reform, but in practice, it is more traditional than Reform.

In other countries, the denominations are divided differently, but as a General rule, you will find a traditional demination and a liberal denomination in most countries.

Answer

There are not really denominations in the sense of differences of belief, but rather varying degrees of adherence to the laws. Think of a spectrum where on one end you have someone who identifies as Jewish, but may not even believe in G-d, nor observe any cultural and religious practices; to the other end wherein someone may go far beyond the written law in order to maximize integrity by attempting to avoid even the notion of any impropriety, as well as segregating into a tight knit community to keep intact all of the rich culture of Judaism they have.

Answer

Orthodox groups encourage strict adherence to all the laws, seeing that as the best way to ensure a good life in the world to come, or to show their love for G-d and their fellow man in this one.

Conservative groups have questioned the validity of following some of the laws passed down through the ages, feeling that some may no longer be relevant to modern times. Conservatism has trended back towards Orthodoxy in terms of the dietary laws, but adherence to them, or indeed any of the laws, is primarily a matter of individual/family choice among the non-Orthodox. Determining who is a Jew, as well as who may be regarded as a Jew following conversion is a major topic. Some converts to Judaism will attempt to meet the requirements of the Orthodox, even though they may ultimately identify later on with Conservatives.

Reform groups are much more flexible in terms of their following of the laws, but again it becomes a matter of individual/family choice. The requirements to convert to Judaism in Reform groups is not as difficult to achieve as in Orthodoxy or Conservative groups, but still presents significant challenges. Even though it may seem as though one could pick and choose a very minimal adherence to the laws, there are minimum standards the groups encourage their membership to follow.

The lines between individuals/families based on practice can be blurred, but where you attend services can be a label in and of itself.

Answer

Unlike in Christianity, Judaism's denominations are not that different. In Judaism there are Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. Orthodox Jews strictly follow the Torah and the laws of Judaism. Included in Orthodox Judaism is the religious group of the Hasidim. Conservative Judaism is moderate. They keep to many traditions, but embrace some newer ideas as well. Reform Judaism is a very relaxed version of Judaism. Reform often views the Torah as an important moral guide, not a list of absolute laws. These denominations are under Rabbinic Judaism which is basically the only form of Judaism one will encounter. In some Middle Eastern countries there are a small separate group of Jews under the Karaite movement. The Karaite Jews do not believe in the Oral Laws that Rabbinic Judaism for the most part accepts. Under the denominations of Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox there are some minor denominations.

AnswerThere are many different levels from orthodox to those who acknowledge they are Jewish but make little or no attempt to follow their religion.

Answer 2

All Jews have the same Torah.Orthodox Jews believe that the Torah must be fully observed (Deuteronomy 13:5). They keep the laws of Judaism as codified in the Shulchan Arukh (Code of Jewish Law), which lists the laws of the Torah and Talmud. Torah-study is seen as very important (Deuteronomy 5:1); and the modern world is seen as subservient to the Torah (Talmud, Nedarim 32a), not the other way around.
Other Jewish groups (Conservative, Reform) adapt, curtail or change the Torah-laws in contemporary life, to a greater or lesser degree.See also:

Types of Jews

Modern challenges for observant Jews