Groups in Judaism
Estimates show that there are around 13 million Jews living all over the world today.
Since Judaism began over 3,500 years ago, many differing traditions have developed over time and many different branches of Judaism have formed.
Orthodox Jews
Orthodox JewsJews who live by the Torah and rabbinic law (halakhah) and who only accept changes that can be supported by the Torah. make up the biggest group of Jews in the UK today. They believe that the TorahLaw; teaching. The word Torah can be used in a narrow sense to mean the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (The Five Books of Moses) and also in a wider sense to include the whole of the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud. is the literal word of God and, as such, should be followed strictly. They also believe that the TalmudA work that is part of rabbinic oral law and made up of the Mishnah and the Gemara (a commentary on the Mishnah). is of divineAn action of God or supernatural power. origin. This interpretation of the scriptures leads some Orthodox Jews to follow every commandment and teaching very strictly. They believe that the teachings of the scriptures should not be adapted for modern life today.
Orthodox Jews adhere to the laws of ShabbatThe seventh day of the week; a day of spiritual renewal and rest commencing at sunset on Friday and terminating at nightfall on Saturday. very strictly and are particularly observant of laws regarding food (kashrutIn Judaism, the laws relating to keeping a kosher (fit or proper) home.). Other groups of Jews are more relaxed about these laws.
Reform Jews
Reform JudaismThe name given to various traditions within Judaism which maintain that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernised and made compatible with the surrounding culture. developed in the 19th century. While some aspects of it remain traditional, Reform Jews are known for adapting their lifestyle to fit in with modern society. For example, Reform Jews do not conform to the traditional Jewish dress code and often do not observe all of the food laws set out in the mitzvotCommandments or laws in Judaism.. This is because Reform Jews believe that although the Torah was inspired by God, it should be understood as a document of its time and not taken literally.
Liberal Jews
Liberal JewsJews who are willing to adapt religious law to modern life. are very similar to Reform Jews but are considered to be more radical in their practices. They share the views of Reform Jews on scripture. Liberal Jews believe that observing the mitzvot is completely down to personal choice.
Question
Outline the different types of Judaism within the UK today.
The largest group of Jews in the UK today is Orthodox Jews, who believe that the holy scriptures should be followed strictly as they come from God. There are also Reform Jews in the UK. They believe that Jewish laws should be adapted to fit in with society today. Liberal Jews are similar to Reform Jews but are considered to be more radical in their approach to Jewish practices.