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History and Founders
Judaism traces its history back to the creation of mankind, but Jewish historical origins begin with the patriarchs; Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.
According to the Torah, Abraham's home was the northern Mesopotamian town of Ur. It will not be until Abraham is seventy that he has a vision known as the 'Convenant of the Parts.' This covenant is seen between God and the Hebrew people as a commitment to remain faithful no matter what happens in life. This covenant begins the story of the Jewish history. Every thing that happens to the Jewish people good or bad is a result of this convenant. It will not be until he is ninety-nine, that Sarah will have a son, Issac.
Issac is known as the "survivor" patriarch after he bound to the altar to be sacrificed until God. All the patriarchs lives foreshadow the future of the Jewish people. Issac's life seems to foreshadow the long suffering Jew who is avoid fights and moves on when confronted by the Philistines. When betrayed by his son Esau, it is written in Genesis 27:33 that Issac "trembled greatly." He saw the horrific future of the Jewish people through Esau that day and knew he had to exclude him.
Jacob ends the period of the Patriarchs. Jacob's life tells us what will happen in the life of the Jewish people. Opposite of his brother Esau, Jacob is described as a "pure man who dwelled in tents." Jacob's wrestling an angel represents man wrestling with life's difficult occasions. It can be easy to just give up but not Jacob. He is the father of Israel people and is called Israel. The name of the which the Jewish people's homeland is today.
Judaism traces its history back to the creation of mankind, but Jewish historical origins begin with the patriarchs; Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.
According to the Torah, Abraham's home was the northern Mesopotamian town of Ur. It will not be until Abraham is seventy that he has a vision known as the 'Convenant of the Parts.' This covenant is seen between God and the Hebrew people as a commitment to remain faithful no matter what happens in life. This covenant begins the story of the Jewish history. Every thing that happens to the Jewish people good or bad is a result of this convenant. It will not be until he is ninety-nine, that Sarah will have a son, Issac.
Issac is known as the "survivor" patriarch after he bound to the altar to be sacrificed until God. All the patriarchs lives foreshadow the future of the Jewish people. Issac's life seems to foreshadow the long suffering Jew who is avoid fights and moves on when confronted by the Philistines. When betrayed by his son Esau, it is written in Genesis 27:33 that Issac "trembled greatly." He saw the horrific future of the Jewish people through Esau that day and knew he had to exclude him.
Jacob ends the period of the Patriarchs. Jacob's life tells us what will happen in the life of the Jewish people. Opposite of his brother Esau, Jacob is described as a "pure man who dwelled in tents." Jacob's wrestling an angel represents man wrestling with life's difficult occasions. It can be easy to just give up but not Jacob. He is the father of Israel people and is called Israel. The name of the which the Jewish people's homeland is today.
Denominations
Since the beginning of Judaism, there has been several different Jewish movement. The difference between the Jewish movements, are often referred to as denominations, branches or sects of Judaism. This is because even though they all belong to the same religion, they have different ways they observe their beliefs. The differences between Jewish movements as opposed to Christian worshiping different denominations, mean interpreting Jewish
scriptures in more progressive/liberal or more traditional/conservative ways rather than from theological differences.
Listed below are examples of the differences between the Jewish movements.
Since the beginning of Judaism, there has been several different Jewish movement. The difference between the Jewish movements, are often referred to as denominations, branches or sects of Judaism. This is because even though they all belong to the same religion, they have different ways they observe their beliefs. The differences between Jewish movements as opposed to Christian worshiping different denominations, mean interpreting Jewish
scriptures in more progressive/liberal or more traditional/conservative ways rather than from theological differences.
Listed below are examples of the differences between the Jewish movements.
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Orthodox Judaism:
Judaism is the most traditional expression of modern Judaism. Orthodox Jews believe the entire Torah - including "Written," the the Pentateuch, and "Oral," the Talmud) was given to Moses by God at Sinai and remains authoritative for modern life in its entirity. Orthodox Jews believe that the Torah contains 613 mitzvot (commandments) that are binding upon Jews. Modern Orthodox Jews strictly observe halakhah (Jewish Law), but still integrate into modern society. Ultra-Orthodox Jews, which includes Chasidic Jews, strictly observe Jewish laws and do not integrate into modern society by dressing distinctively and living separately.According to a 1990 nationwide survey, 7 percent of American Jews are Orthodox. American and Canadian Orthodox Jews are organized under the Orthodox Union, which serves 1,000 synagogues in North America.
Judaism is the most traditional expression of modern Judaism. Orthodox Jews believe the entire Torah - including "Written," the the Pentateuch, and "Oral," the Talmud) was given to Moses by God at Sinai and remains authoritative for modern life in its entirity. Orthodox Jews believe that the Torah contains 613 mitzvot (commandments) that are binding upon Jews. Modern Orthodox Jews strictly observe halakhah (Jewish Law), but still integrate into modern society. Ultra-Orthodox Jews, which includes Chasidic Jews, strictly observe Jewish laws and do not integrate into modern society by dressing distinctively and living separately.According to a 1990 nationwide survey, 7 percent of American Jews are Orthodox. American and Canadian Orthodox Jews are organized under the Orthodox Union, which serves 1,000 synagogues in North America.
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Conservative Judaism:
Conservative Judaism states that the ideas in the Torah come from God, but were transmitted by humans and contain a human component. Conservative Judaism generally accepts the binding nature of halakhah (Jewish Law), but believes that the Law should adapt, allowing for change as the times change in today's culture while remaining true to Judaism's values. Judaism may be said to be a moderate position between Orthodox and Reform Judaism. It slooks to conserve the traditional elements of Judaism, while allowing for modernization to a less radical extent than Reform Judaism. The teachings of Zacharias Frankel (1801-75) form the foundation of Conservative Judaism.
Conservative Judaism states that the ideas in the Torah come from God, but were transmitted by humans and contain a human component. Conservative Judaism generally accepts the binding nature of halakhah (Jewish Law), but believes that the Law should adapt, allowing for change as the times change in today's culture while remaining true to Judaism's values. Judaism may be said to be a moderate position between Orthodox and Reform Judaism. It slooks to conserve the traditional elements of Judaism, while allowing for modernization to a less radical extent than Reform Judaism. The teachings of Zacharias Frankel (1801-75) form the foundation of Conservative Judaism.
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Reform Judaism:
Reform Judaism believes that the Torah was written by different human sources, rather than by God, and then later combined. While Reform Judaism
does not accept the binding nature of halakhah (Jewish Law), the movement does retain much of the values and ethics of Judaism as well as some of the practices and culture. Judaism is the most liberal expression of Judaism. In America, Reform Judaism is organized under the Union for Reform Judaism (known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations until 2003), whose mission is "to create and sustain vibrant Jewish congregations wherever Reform Jews live." About 1.5 million Jews in 900 synagogues are members of the Union for Reform Judaism. According to 1990 survey, 42 percent of American Jews regard themselves as Reform.
Reform Judaism believes that the Torah was written by different human sources, rather than by God, and then later combined. While Reform Judaism
does not accept the binding nature of halakhah (Jewish Law), the movement does retain much of the values and ethics of Judaism as well as some of the practices and culture. Judaism is the most liberal expression of Judaism. In America, Reform Judaism is organized under the Union for Reform Judaism (known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations until 2003), whose mission is "to create and sustain vibrant Jewish congregations wherever Reform Jews live." About 1.5 million Jews in 900 synagogues are members of the Union for Reform Judaism. According to 1990 survey, 42 percent of American Jews regard themselves as Reform.
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Reconstructionist Judaism:
Reconstructionist believes that Judaism is an "evolving religious civilization." In one way it is more liberal than Reform Judaism - the movement does not believe in a personified deity that is active in history and does not believe that God chose the Jewish people. In another way Reconstructionist Judaism is less liberal than Reform Judaism - Reconstructionist may observe Jewish Law, not because it is a binding Law from God, but because it is a valuable cultural remnant.
Reconstructionist believes that Judaism is an "evolving religious civilization." In one way it is more liberal than Reform Judaism - the movement does not believe in a personified deity that is active in history and does not believe that God chose the Jewish people. In another way Reconstructionist Judaism is less liberal than Reform Judaism - Reconstructionist may observe Jewish Law, not because it is a binding Law from God, but because it is a valuable cultural remnant.
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Humanistic Judaism:
The latest movement is Humanistic Judaism, founded in 1963 in Detroit, Michigan by Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine. This movement offers a nontheistic alternative in contemporary Jewish life. Humanistic Jews believe in creating a meaningful Jewish lifestyle free from supernatural authority, in achieving dignity and self-esteem, and in reviving the secular roots of Judaism. Humanistic Judaism embraces a human-centered philosophy that combines the celebration of Jewish culture and identity with adherence to humanistic values.
The latest movement is Humanistic Judaism, founded in 1963 in Detroit, Michigan by Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine. This movement offers a nontheistic alternative in contemporary Jewish life. Humanistic Jews believe in creating a meaningful Jewish lifestyle free from supernatural authority, in achieving dignity and self-esteem, and in reviving the secular roots of Judaism. Humanistic Judaism embraces a human-centered philosophy that combines the celebration of Jewish culture and identity with adherence to humanistic values.