Judaism in the US is divided into three main movements: Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox. The degree of traditional observance distinguishes them. Reform Jews believe men wrote the Torah, while Orthodox Jews believe God did. Orthodox Jews follow Halacha strictly, while Reform Jews allow for modern interpretations. There are practical differences, such as gender separation and dietary laws. The Orthodox view the Reform movement negatively, while Reform Jews find Orthodoxy too literal and rooted in tradition.
There are three major denominations or movements within Judaism in the United States: Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox. The difference between the three, in a fundamental sense, can be explained by the degree to which traditional observance is required. The three exist on a continuum with reform being more modern, liberal or progressive, and less observant than traditional interpretations of Jewish law.
Origins of the Torah
A clear difference between the Reform and Orthodox movements involves the question of who wrote the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament. Orthodox Judaism holds that God wrote the Bible and passed it on to Moses on Mount Sinai Followers of Reform Judaism do not believe that God wrote the Bible, but they do believe that He inspired it but that it was written by men.
Approaches to halachic interpretation
How the two movements approach Halacha (Jewish law) may also be based on a traditional/modern distinction. That is, Orthodox Jews maintain an understanding of both scriptural writings and rabbinic teachings that is largely literal. Conversely, Reform Judaism allows for modern interpretations of ancient texts. Furthermore, Orthodox Jews believe that halacha – and all of its 613 commandments or laws – is binding on them. Reform Jews, on the other hand, do not consider halacha to be a mandatory requirement and, as a result, are generally less observant of traditional Jewish law. Because many Reform Jews maintain cultural practices, such as observing certain elements of the sabbath (Shabbat) or dietary laws (kashrut), they observe some halakhic principles albeit perhaps with a much more modern interpretation of the law.
Some practical differences
It may be helpful to review some specific differences to understand where Reform and Orthodox Jews differ:
gender separation. Orthodox synagogues hold services with men and women seated in separate sections. This separation is enforced to maintain modesty and attention. Reformed synagogues allow for the mixing of its faithful.
female rabbis. In the Orthodox tradition, prominent religious roles such as Rabbi and Cantor are reserved for men. The Reform movement has female Rabbis and Cantors.
Music during the services. Instrumental music is not permitted during synagogue services in the Orthodox movement, but is permitted and common in Reform services.
Skullcap. Due to Orthodoxy’s literal interpretation of Jewish law, more Orthodox men (those who are observant) regularly wear skullcaps (or kippot or yarmukle). In general, fewer Reformed men wear the kippot and are more likely to do so in synagogue but not in their normal life. Reform Jewish women may wear the yarlmulke and other religious items such as prayer shawls (tallitot) which were traditionally worn only by men.
Definition of Jew. The Orthodox maintain the traditional definition which requires having a Jewish mother or completing an Orthodox conversion to be considered Jewish. Reform Jews also consider those with Jewish fathers who were raised as Jews to be Jews.
Diet laws. In general, Orthodox followers adhere best to Jewish dietary laws (kashrut), which include among many things not eating dairy products and meat together and eating only certain types of animals slaughtered according to halacha. The position of the Reform allows the individual to determine whether and how much to observe it. As a result, Reform Jews vary from strictly adhering to kashrut to avoiding only pork to not following it at all.
Views of each other
In general, the orthodox view of the reform movement tends to be negative. This is largely due to the Reformation’s divergence from what the Orthodox view as key elements of the religion (including the divine origin of the Torah and the obligation to follow Jewish law). Some of the more conservative sects within the Orthodox movement such as ultra-Orthodox Jews or
Haredi Jews consider the reform movement heretical. The modern Orthodox sect (the most liberal of the Orthodox movements) does not see the philosophy of the Reformation as evil but rather misleading. The Reform movement was born out of a rejection of traditional Judaism and this rejection is still true today. Reform Jews generally find Orthodox movements too literal and too rooted in tradition, unnecessarily in conflict with modern life.
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