What is the difference between Liberal and Orthodox Judaism?

Answer 1

Answer 1

Orthodox is a type of Jew that is most religiously observant.

Answer 2

The main divisions between these sects is the ability to use non-Judaic source content to abrogate and modernize Jewish teaching and practice. Torah Jews believe that such things represent a deterioration of Jewish identity and purpose whereas Liberal Jews see Jewish Identity to be more internal or ethnic and the religious aspect to be secondary. As a result, Torah Jews believe Liberal Jews to have "lost their way" and Liberal Jews see Torah Jews as being antiquated and "out of sync" with the modern world. Regardless of whether a person is a Torah Jew or a Liberal Jew, that person may also practice rites derivative of his ancestral region such as Eastern European customs, Iberian customs, North African customs, etc. These customs do not affect other Jews as perceiving him as Jewish and these rites are all co-equal.

Within the Torah Judaism Sect there are a number of movements distinguished by their level of integration with the non-Jewish World, their styles of prayer, and their level of conservatism. The Modern Orthodox are typically seen as the more liberal branch of Torah Judaism and typically wear Jewish paraphenalia (such as a Kippa and Tzitzit) although they will dress in a typical business-suit and work in Western companies. On the more conservative side are the Hasidim and Ultra-Orthodox who wear unique vestment at all times and are recognizable by their payyot (sideburn-curls).

Within Liberal Judaism there are a number of movements also distinguished by their level of integration with the non-Jewish World, their styles of prayer, and their level of conservatism. At the most liberal are Secular Jews who may make Jewish foods and sing Jewish songs, but rarely attend synagogue services and do not perform the daily acts required of Torah Jews. In Liberal Judaism there is a question as to how much Hebrew and how much Vernacular should be used in a Synagogue Service. Conservative Jews, on the more conservative side typically prefer more Hebrew, whereas Reform Jews prefer more Vernacular. Liberal Jews are often well-acclimated to non-Jewish society and may have many non-Jewish friends and contacts.

Answer 2

An Orthodox Jew is a person who follows Jewish law in a very strict, traditional fashion. Jewish law, or halacha is binding and cannot be modified or discarded.

A Reform or liberal Jew does not believe in the binding nature of Jewish law, and emphasizes other Jewish ethics, such as personal responsibility and tikkun olam (making the world a better place.)

Answer 3

Liberal Jews see themselves as religiously Jewish, but prefer a more liberal interpretation of the laws. Secular Jews may or may not see themselves as practicing the Jewish religion, but are much more assimilated into the culture, and do not practice many Jewish traditions.

Answer 4

Orthodox Jews abide by the laws of the Torah as Jews have consistently for centuries. Liberal Jews try to put the laws of the Torah into a modern context and and enhance it to suit modern needs.

Judaism has only two major sects: Orthodox Jews and the Liberal Jews. The main divisions between these sects is the ability to use non-Judaic source content to abrogate and modernize Jewish teaching and practice. Orthodox Jews believe that such things represent a deterioration of Jewish identity and purpose whereas Liberal Jews see Jewish Identity to be more internal or ethnic and the religious aspect to be secondary. As a result, Orthodox Jews believe Liberal Jews to have "lost their way" and Liberal Jews see Orthodox Jews as being antiquated and "out of sync" with the modern world. Regardless of whether a person is a Orthodox Jew or a Liberal Jew, that person may also practice rites derivative of his ancestral region such as Eastern European customs, Iberian customs, North African customs, etc. These customs do not affect other Jews as perceiving him as Jewish and these rites are all co-equal.

Answer 5

The most obvious difference to an outside observer is in the role of women. Orthodoxy generally does not recognize women serving as rabbis or permit women to lead prayers in a mixed congregation. The liberal movements with Judaism permit women to serve as rabbis and to lead prayers. Someone knowledgable about the liturgy will notice that the various liberal movements have introduced gender neutral language here or there, and they will notice that the Reform movement has abridged many prayers to shorten the services. Someone knowledgable in theology will notice that the role of community standards as to halacha (Jewish Law) differs. Orthodoxy holds all Jews to the standards set by the rabbinate. The liberal movements generally allow more personal autonomy in an individual's interpretation of or decision to follow halacha.

Then, entirely separately, there's the question of praying in one's native language. The Halacha specifically allows it, but most Orthodox communities conduct all public prayer in Hebrew. Liberal congregations vary in the amount of Hebrew used. The range of variation is extreme, and tends to vary depending on the amount of Hebrew education available to the membership.

Answer 6

Orthodox Jews are those who accept the authority of Orthodox rabbis in the interpretation of Jewish law, based on the 613 commandments in the Torah. Observing Jewish law to Orthodox standards does not require isolation from the secular world nor does it require rejection of all aspects of modern culture. The Modern Orthodox branch of Orthodoxy encourages higher education and engagement with the modern world. Hassidic Jews are sometimes described as ultra-Orthodox, but this is a misnomer. Rather, the Hassidic movement is a pietist movement with deep connections to Kabbalah and mysticism and they have no interest in developments that led to the development of non-Orthodox Judaism in the 19th and 20th centuries. Each Hassidic sect revolves around its rebbi, that is, chief rabbi. In some sects, the rebbi is seen as a near messianic figure and has extraordinary authority over his followers. Some rebbis are known for their extraordinary scholarship, and there are tales about miracles worked by some rebbis.