What are the religious divisions in Judaism?

Answer 1

Yes, there are sects in Judaism. The three main sects in America are the Orthodox, the Conservative, and the Reform. There are blends and variations; and the old saying, "two Jews, three opinions" applies here.

Answer 2

All Jews have the same Torah.

Torah-observant Judaism dates back for a few thousand years. Originally it was simply called "Torah" or living by the Torah. Today it has the additional name of Orthodox Judaism.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) are recent. They adapt, curtail or change the Torah-laws in contemporary life, to a greater or lesser degree.

Answer 2

Answer 1

Sect is a pretty strong word. Jews prefer the term "affiliation" because every affiliation of Judaism is interconnected to every other affiliation; and there is some overlap.

There were 4 sects of Judaism at the end of the Temple period (70 CE):

• the Pharisees
• the Sadducees
• the Essenes
• the Nazarenes

Modern Judaism grew out of the Pharisees. In modern times, there are several denominations within Judaism, including

• Orthodox
• Conservative
• Reform
• Reconstructionist
• Renewal
• Humanist
• Masorti
• Progressive
• Liberal

Among the Orthodox, who are the most traditional, there are these distinctions:

• Ultra-Orthodox/Hassidic/Haredi
• Modern Orthodox
• and Chabad (which is actually an organization, but which does not strictly fall within the definitions of Ultra-Orthodox or Modern Orthodox)

There are geographic subdivisions:

• Ashkenazic
• Sephardic
• Beta Yisra'el (and other unrelated exotic Jewish groups like Kaifeng Jews and Cochin Jews)
• Mizrahi
• Sabra

Answer 2

There are really only two sects in modern Judaism: the Torah 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. 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 paraphernalia (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 3

First of all, it should be stressed that all Jews have the same Torah.
Jews may be classed according to lifestyle, geography, or outlook.Lifestyle: there are Jews who are more stringent (Orthodox) or less stringent (Conservative, Reform) in their observance of the Torah's commands.

Geography: there are Ashkenazi (Western) Jews and Sephardi/Mizrahi (Eastern) Jews. Ashkenazim have historical roots in Germany, while Sephardim have historical roots in pre-expulsion Spain. (There are others too, such as Yemeni, Romaniote, and Persian Jews, but the above are the largest groups.)

Outlook: among the religious Jewish communities, there are the Yeshiva community, Hassidim, and Modern Orthodox. (Hassidim are the ones who wear long frock-coats.)

Answer 4

Judaism has only two major sects. However, they have very different perceptions of each other and these are the Torah 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. 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 paraphernalia (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 5

First of all, it should be stressed that all Jews have the same Torah.
Jews may be classed according to lifestyle, geography, or outlook.
Lifestyle: there are Jews who are more stringent (Orthodox) or less stringent (Conservative, Reform) in their observance of the Torah's commands.
Geography: there are Ashkenazi (Western) Jews and Sephardi (Eastern) Jews. Ashkenazim have historical roots in Germany, while Sephardim have historical roots in pre-expulsion Spain. (There are others too, such as Yemeni, Romaniote, and Persian Jews, but the above are the largest groups.)
Outlook: among the religious Jewish communities, there are the Yeshiva ("Litvish") community, Hassidim, and Modern Orthodox. (Hassidim are the ones who wear long frock-coats.)

Answer 6

First of all, it should be stressed that all Jews have the same Torah.
The different kinds of Jews may be classed according to lifestyle, geography, or outlook.

Lifestyle: there are Jews who are more stringent (Orthodox) or less stringent (Conservative, Reform) in their observance of the Torah's commands.

Geography: there are Ashkenazi (Western) Jews and Sephardi/Mizrahi (Eastern) Jews. In Medieval times, the Ashkenazim were in France and Germany, the Sephardim were in pre-expulsion Spain, and the Mizrahi (Edot Hamizrach) were in North Africa, Turkey and Iraq. (There are others too, such as Yemeni and Romaniote (Greek Jews), but the above are the largest groups.)

Outlook: among the religious Jewish communities, there are the Yeshiva (Litvish) community, Hassidim, and Modern Orthodox. (Hassidim are the ones who wear long frock-coats.)

Answer 7

All Jews have the same Torah.There are Jews who are more stringent (Orthodox) or less stringent (Conservative, Reform) in their observance of the Torah's commands.

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:

Modern challenges for observant Jews

Other types of divisions:
Geography: there are Ashkenazi (Western) Jews and Sephardi/Mizrahi (Eastern) Jews. In Medieval times, the Ashkenazim were in France and Germany, the Sephardim were in pre-expulsion Spain, and the Mizrahi (Edot Hamizrach) were in North Africa, Turkey and Iraq. (There are others too, such as Yemeni and Romaniote (Greek Jews), but the above are the largest groups.)

Outlook: among the religious Jewish communities, there are the Yeshiva (Litvish) community, Hassidim, and Modern Orthodox. (Hassidim are the ones who wear long frock-coats.)

Answer 8

First of all, it should be stressed that all Jews have the same Torah.
Jews may be classed according to lifestyle, geography, or outlook.

Lifestyle: there are Jews who are more stringent (Orthodox) or less stringent (Conservative, Reform) in their observance of the Torah's commands.

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.

• Modern challenges for observant Jews
  

Geography: there are Ashkenazi (Western) Jews and Sephardi/Mizrahi (Eastern) Jews. In Medieval times, the Ashkenazim were in France and Germany, the Sephardim were in pre-expulsion Spain, and the Mizrahi (Edot Hamizrach) were in North Africa, Turkey and Iraq. (There are others too, such as Yemeni and Romaniote (Greek Jews), but the above are the largest groups.)

Outlook: among the religious Jewish communities, there are the Yeshiva (Litvish) community, Hassidim, and Modern Orthodox. (Hassidim are the ones who wear long frock-coats.)

Answer 9

There are quite a few divisions within Judaism. Some of the main ones are Orthodox, Reconstructionist, Conservative, & Reform.

Answer 10

Jews and non-Jews.