Branches of Branches of JudaismJudaism

Why the change?Why the change?

200 to ca. 1800: One basic form of 200 to ca. 1800: One basic form of Judaism (“Rabbinic”)Judaism (“Rabbinic”) Based on Talmud (Mishnah + Gemara)Based on Talmud (Mishnah + Gemara) Focus on observing oral and written lawFocus on observing oral and written law 613 commandments613 commandments Focus on study, prayer, ongoing Focus on study, prayer, ongoing

“discussion” by rabbis and “discussion” by rabbis and commentatorscommentators

Page from theTalmud

Europe, ca. 1800Europe, ca. 1800 Enlightenment idealsEnlightenment ideals

Critique received religious authorityCritique received religious authority Critique role of religion in warfare (“God is on our Critique role of religion in warfare (“God is on our

side”)side”) Religion should be rational, about universal truths Religion should be rational, about universal truths

and moralsand morals Not rituals, particular histories, miraclesNot rituals, particular histories, miracles

Emancipation of Jews (citizenship granted)Emancipation of Jews (citizenship granted) 1791 France; 1796 Netherlands1791 France; 1796 Netherlands 1856 U.K.; 1861 Italy; 1871 Germany1856 U.K.; 1861 Italy; 1871 Germany 1910 Spain; 1917 Russia1910 Spain; 1917 Russia

Dilemma for Jews: modernize or be marginal?Dilemma for Jews: modernize or be marginal?

Beginnings of Reform Beginnings of Reform JudaismJudaism

Guiding ideaGuiding idea Emphasize ethics, not ritualEmphasize ethics, not ritual Adapt to contemporary life (use local Adapt to contemporary life (use local

language)language) Emphasize universality, not Emphasize universality, not

particularityparticularity Re-interpret messianic beliefsRe-interpret messianic beliefs

Begins in Germany (1818), but Begins in Germany (1818), but centered today in the U.S.centered today in the U.S.

The early, radical days of The early, radical days of ReformReform

If Judaism is about ethics not ritual, If Judaism is about ethics not ritual, then:then: Can worship be on Sunday?Can worship be on Sunday? Can worship be in the local language?Can worship be in the local language? Can people eat shellfish, pork, etc.?Can people eat shellfish, pork, etc.? Do infant boys need to be circumcised?Do infant boys need to be circumcised?

What is gained, and what is lost here?What is gained, and what is lost here? Tradition vs. “relevance”Tradition vs. “relevance” Jews today have become more traditional Jews today have become more traditional

than the early radical forms of Reformthan the early radical forms of Reform

Reform todayReform today Less radical, more traditional than in 1800sLess radical, more traditional than in 1800s

uses more Hebrew uses more Hebrew Supports a Jewish state (Israel)Supports a Jewish state (Israel)

Particularity, ethnic identity, ritual are valuable for Particularity, ethnic identity, ritual are valuable for keeping Judaism alivekeeping Judaism alive

Very engaged in social issuesVery engaged in social issues Strong focus on “tikkun olam” (repairing the world; Strong focus on “tikkun olam” (repairing the world;

social justice)social justice) Strong emphasis on women’s rights (ordained 1972) Strong emphasis on women’s rights (ordained 1972)

and inclusion of gays, two issues that are very and inclusion of gays, two issues that are very divisive in religion todaydivisive in religion today

Allows for patrilineal descentAllows for patrilineal descent 40% of Jews in America 40% of Jews in America

roughly 7% Orthodox; 40% Conservative; 3% otherroughly 7% Orthodox; 40% Conservative; 3% other

OrthodoxyOrthodoxy

Only known as a distinct branch after Only known as a distinct branch after Reform developsReform develops

Adheres to Jewish law in all of life, not just Adheres to Jewish law in all of life, not just ethicsethics

Walk to synagogue on SabbathWalk to synagogue on Sabbath means living a Jewish communitymeans living a Jewish community

Keep kosher (two sets of dishes, etc)Keep kosher (two sets of dishes, etc) Men and women have distinct rolesMen and women have distinct roles

public vs. domesticpublic vs. domestic Only men count in a quorum (10 needed for public prayer)Only men count in a quorum (10 needed for public prayer) sit on separate sides of the synagoguesit on separate sides of the synagogue

Only form recognized in IsraelOnly form recognized in Israel

ConservativeConservative

Develops after Reform in 1913 in U.S.Develops after Reform in 1913 in U.S. Middle ground: Reform goes to far, but Middle ground: Reform goes to far, but

Orthodoxy needs to be adapted to modern Orthodoxy needs to be adapted to modern timestimes

Law (Bible, Talmud) comes from God, but Law (Bible, Talmud) comes from God, but transmitted through human beings; can be transmitted through human beings; can be read criticallyread critically

So, still binding, but can be adaptedSo, still binding, but can be adapted More use of Hebrew in liturgyMore use of Hebrew in liturgy Keeps matrilineal descentKeeps matrilineal descent Women ordained 1983Women ordained 1983

What do we learn fromWhat do we learn from branches of Judaism? branches of Judaism?

Another example: how does religion Another example: how does religion decide how to adapt to new decide how to adapt to new circumstances?circumstances?

What issues are most divisive?What issues are most divisive? What issues are most common to all What issues are most common to all

branches?branches?