How is the leadership of Judaism organized?

Answer 1

There are 4 main branches of the faith

- Orthodox

- Conservative

- Reform

- Reconstructionist

Masorti generally equals Conservative, while Liberal generally equals Reform, although there are distinctions at national level

Orthodox here as a general umbrella term includes the Ultra-Orthodox, even though there is a clear distinction.

The Orthodox branch is the most hierarchical in the list, as well as the most 'authoritative' although the Jewish religion emphasizes constructive debate, so hierarchical allows for difference of opinion. Therefore the most authoritative view, for an individual Jewish person, is in every case that of his/her own rabbi; while in principle the individual is free to change synagogues should he/she feel that his/her Rabbi's opinion differs unpalatably from his/her own view.

The halacha, set of legal interpretations, that derives from the modern hierarchy, is mostly limited to modern interpretations suited to modern conditions, of ancient understandings, some, according to tradition, going back to the time of the written Torah itself, many deriving from the writings of the Babylonian Jewish sages, the Talmud, more yet deriving from the writings of the Jewish sages of the Middle Ages whose understanding of the Talmud is well-respected.

The unifying factor in all branches of the faith, between all synagogues, all rabbis, is the Hebrew Bible itself, the set of documents whose transfer into Christianity is called the Old Testament. A respect, put at its simplest, for the laws stated in the Torah, the 5 Books of Moses, the first 5 books of the Bible, is in many ways the definition of Jewishness, hence the Torah is the true authority.

There is generally a Chief Rabbi at national level, sometimes regional level, occasionally city level as in Israel;

the Orthodox Chief Rabbinate of Israel, consisting of 2 Rabbis representing the 2 communities of the Orthodox, as head of a court system managing relevant civil status matters, is one of the more authoritative, even controversially so as according to the Israeli constitution, it therefore limits the authority of the more liberal branches to define according to their own rules, the civil status of their own adherents.

In countries that allow religious courts to handle civil status matters for their adherents, the system is broadly similar; however usually less strictly Orthodox, given the demographic differences - less Orthodox, more liberals - in the diaspora.

Generally there is similarity, although not necessarily identity, of opinion between Chief Rabbis for different areas. There is no absolute binding principle that I know of, of deference of diasporan Chief Rabbis to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.

Answer

The people believe in scriptures of old testaments.

Answer 2

Judaism today does not have a single hierarchy. Rather, each community has its own rabbinic leaders. For example, Belzer hasidim are led by the Belzer Rebbe. Other hasidim may consider the Belzer Rebbe a great man, but do not consider his decisions authoritative. Non-hasidic orthodox Jews often consider their rosh yeshivah (dean of a religious academy) to be their leader.

On issues of Jewish Law, there are a number of authorities that are considered the leading decisors ("poskim" in Hebrew), but again, their authority is based on being accepted by a particular orthodox community rather than their being the head of a particular hierarchy.

Answer 3

Answer 1

In the earliest era, the Hebrews consisted of family-groups (clans; tribes) led by patriarchs. Later, during the three centuries of the Judges, the Israelite nation had sages (led by Sanhedrin-courts) who were consulted in questions of Jewish law and conduct; while individual judges occasionally unified the people in war against some common enemy.

During the four centuries of the monarchy, the Israelites were led by three distinct people or groups: the king, the Sanhedrin and the Kohen Gadol. (See also Deuteronomy ch.17-18.)

The king conducted the nation and made decisions in most national matters but was not necessarily one of the leading sages. It is noteworthy that although the prophets had no temporal power, they were sent by God not only to exhort the people in general, but also to rebuke the king when needed.

The Sanhedrin (court of Sages) was the final authority on Torah-matters. One of its functions was to ensure that the Torah-traditions were handed down intact from generation to generation.

The Kohen Gadol conducted the observances in the Holy Temple, together with the assistance of the rest of the Kohanim and Levites (Numbers ch.8 and 18; Leviticus ch.21). Though the Kohen Gadol had no formal power outside the Temple, he did have great influence due to the prestige of his position. In times of need, he occasionally dealt directly with foreign monarchs (see Talmud, Yoma 47a and 69b).

Answer 2

Unlike Christianity, there is today no central leadership in the Jewish religion. Each synagogue has its own structure, usually (but not always) with the Rabbi and the Board of Directors or Council at the top. Synagogues may optionally be members of Jewish unions.

Answer 4

Each community has its Rabbi or Rabbis.

In ancient times:

In the earliest era, the Hebrews consisted of family-groups (clans; tribes) led by patriarchs.

Later, during the three centuries of the Judges, the Israelite nation had sages (led by Sanhedrin-courts) who were consulted in questions of Jewish law and conduct; while individual judges occasionally unified the people in war against some common enemy.

During the four centuries of the monarchy, the Israelites were led by three distinct people or groups: the king, the Sanhedrin and the Kohen Gadol. (See also Deuteronomy ch.17-18.)

The king conducted the nation and made decisions in most national matters but was not necessarily one of the leading sages. It is noteworthy that although the prophets had no temporal power, they were sent by God not only to exhort the people in general, but also to rebuke the king when needed.

The Sanhedrin (court of Sages) was the final authority on Torah-matters. One of its functions was to ensure that the Torah-traditions were handed down intact from generation to generation.

The Kohen Gadol conducted the observances in the Holy Temple, together with the assistance of the rest of the Kohanim and Levites (Numbers ch.8 and 18; Leviticus ch.21). Though the Kohen Gadol had no formal power outside the Temple, he did have great influence due to the prestige of his position. In times of need, he occasionally dealt directly with foreign monarchs (see Talmud, Yoma 47a and 69b).

Answer 5

Today, each Jewish community is autonomous and usually has its own Rabbi or Rabbis.

In the earliest era, the Hebrews consisted of family-groups (clans; tribes) led by patriarchs. Later, during the three centuries of the Judges, the Israelite nation had sages (led by Sanhedrin-courts) who were consulted in questions of Jewish law and conduct; while individual Judges occasionally unified the people in war against some common enemy.

Link: Jewish history timeline

During the four centuries of the monarchy, the Israelites were led by three distinct people or groups: the king, the Sanhedrin and the Kohen Gadol. (See also Deuteronomy ch.17-18.)

• The king conducted the nation and made decisions in most national matters but was not necessarily one of the leading sages. It is noteworthy that although the prophets had no temporal power, they were sent by God not only to exhort the people in general, but also to rebuke the king when needed.
  

Link: The role of the prophets

• The Sanhedrin (court of Sages) was the final authority on Torah-matters. One of its functions was to ensure that the Torah-traditions were handed down intact from generation to generation.
  

• The Kohen Gadol conducted the observances in the Holy Temple, together with the assistance of the rest of the Kohanim and Levites (Leviticus ch.21, Numbers ch.8 and 18). Though the Kohen Gadol had no formal power outside the Temple, he did have great influence due to the prestige of his position. In times of need, he occasionally dealt directly with foreign monarchs (see Talmud, Yoma 47a and 69b).

Answer 6

In recent centuries there has been no centralized leadership. Each community has its rabbi or rabbis.